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A 30-year-old member asked:

What are signs of an obsessive compulsive disorder?

3 doctor answers8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Glen Elliott
Child Psychiatry 45 years experience
See below: Ocd is defined by the presence of recurring obessions (thoughts) & compulsions (behaviors) that are distressing to the person because of time consumed or effects of thoughts/acts. Nearly all individuals label the thoughts and behaviors as "weird" or "odd, " even very young children; yet, they can't stop. Usually, the compulsion is an effort to get rid of the thought. Range of symptoms is wide.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. James Wells
Psychiatry 46 years experience
Repetitive behavior: Ocd is generally characterized by repetitive behaviors that are difficult to stop despite being frustrating either to the person doing the behaviors or to those in the person's life. There also tends to be difficulty making decisions and a tendency to make and change decisions. In my experience, a low-dose (2 mg each am) of Abilify (aripiprazole) is often the most rapid ; effective treatment for ocd symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Andrew Berry
Clinical Psychology 16 years experience
OCD: OCD is obsessive compulsive disorder, which is comprised of obsessions (repeating unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (ritualistic behaviors to help deal with those thoughts) such as washing hands repeatedly, constantly cleaning, checking locks, and other similar behaviors. Often the emotions behind OCD are based in fear and/or anger that is unresolved and even unverbalized.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 45-year-old member asked:

What are potential signs of obsessive compulsive disorder?

3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Claiborn
45 years experience
In the name: I always think OCD is a well named disorder. The signs or symptoms of OCD are having obsessions, intrusive upsetting, unwanted thoughts, and compulsions behaviors including mental behaviors you repeat to reduce anxiety or prevent the things you obsess about.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old member asked:

How can I tell if I have obsessive compulsive disorder?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Benson
Psychiatry 43 years experience
How to check for OCD: A person can use a number of standardized scales and diagnostic screeners to cone down on if you have OCD or not. If you go on line and google OCD screening tools, you will find things like the yale brown obsessive compulsive checklist, or ybocs. With a little background, you can take this. Plan to discuss this with a trained mental health professional like a psychiatrist to be sure.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 44-year-old member asked:

Is it possible that I have obsessive compulsive disorder?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Andrew Berry
Clinical Psychology 16 years experience
EVAL: Get a psychiatric evaluation for OCD symptomology and severity, and possible medication management. Then get a referral to a reputable clinician who specializes in OCD.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
CA
A 39-year-old member asked:

How can I treat obsessive-compulsive disorder?

5 doctor answers17 doctors weighed in
Dr. Allison Greco
Dr. Allison Grecoanswered
General Practice 11 years experience
Therapy, medication: The most effective treatment for diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder is something called cognitive-behavioral therapy (cbt). During cbt, a therapist can help you "train yourself" to deal with the anxiety and emotions that accompany the compulsions associated with the disorder. There are also medications that may help, but they will be less effective without therapy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:

I have an obsessive compulsive disorder about everything? What do I do?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Bernard Seif
Clinical Psychology 42 years experience
Exposure therapy: has good data to support its effectiveness for OCD and other anxiety disorder. Please see a clinical psychologist who specializes in this. Peace and good health. It's not like what you may have seen on TV.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated May 14, 2016
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