Where Does Obsession Compulsion Disorder (OCD) Fit In?
Progressing from the first articles, we have covered Depression: Signs of Depression, Treatment of Mood Disorder (Part 1 & Part 2); Manic Depression; and Anxiety Disorders in general. We are now transitioning into specific anxiety disorders. I would like to start with a discussion of Obsession Compulsion Disorder (OCD). Up to 2.5% of the population and one half times as many women as men will meet the criteria for OCD in their life time. In keeping with the range of severity as with any illness, some may have a mild life inconvenience and others, total disruption. The illness is characterized by the presence of either obsessions or compulsions. Some investigators believe that the compulsion is a defense mechanism to reduce the anxiety of bothersome thoughts. The good news is that compulsions do reduce the anxiety associated with obsessions. The bad news is that the ritual behavior significantly interferes with one’s life. What is an obsession? It is an unwanted, intrusive and repetitiv
