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What is OCD? - Medical Symptoms

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Medical symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Many have asked What is OCD? And there are many who wonder if they might have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The purpose of this article is to answer a few of those questions regarding Obsessive Complusive Disorder more commonly known as OCD.
Hopefully if you are suffering with the medical symptoms of this disorder or know someone who is, you may find the answer to your question, What is OCD? And how can I help them cope.

I have been nursing in medicine for nearly 40 years. People are sicker today than they ever have been. No doubt, for identifiable reasons,a polluted environment, inferior food, no health insurance, stress, stress, and more stress. But more so, the sometimes hard to identify symptoms of a compulsive disorder.

Is there any wonder people are worried about and wonder exactly what is OCD?

Photo Credit - Box Dilemma by puuikibeach on Flickr, which demonstrates hoarding, a symptom of OCD

Contents at a Glance

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
What is OCD?
Obsessive Hand Washing
OCD Quiz - How Much Do You Know About Ob...
A Symptom of OCD
Hoarding - Another Symptom of Obsessive...
What is OCD? A Little More Understanding...
How Do You Love Someone with OCD
Do you Suffer from OCD or any Medical Sy...

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is it? How do we live with it?

Coping with OCD: Practical Strategies for Living Well with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Amazon Price$10.17

Coping with OCD: Practical Strategies for Living Well with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What is OCD? Why do we have it? How do we cope with it? An amazing description of what it is like living with this all-consuming disorder. A simple plan to help you cope if you have this devastating psychological disorder.

What is OCD?

Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is OCD? is a valid question, It deserves an answer. Consider these questions: Do you find yourself being bothered by certain things that seem out of order in your lives? Do you check over and over if the pictures are straight, or the fringe on the rug is combed out? Do you have to check again and again that the stove is turned off or that the door is locked? Do you count things uncontrollably? Are you obsessed with washing your hands, they are just never clean enough? Would it make you just nuts if you ever threw anything away? You just have to keep it incase some day you might have a need for it?

These behaviors can be extremely persistent to the point of upsetting your life and routine. It can range from very mild that really doesn't bother you or anyone else to quite severe, that you are unable to function due to the distractions and it is very noticeable to others.

These are just a very few of the symptoms of OCD also known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If these types of things are happening in your life, you may have obsessive compulsive disorder.

Obsessive Hand Washing

Notice how the skin is red and raw from excessive scrubbing. Some people will scrub their skin with boiling hot water and use wire brushes to try to get the skin clean enough. But are frequently not able to satisfy themselves, causing skin damage so severe they require progressive treatment.

OCD Quiz - How Much Do You Know About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

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A Symptom of OCD

Don't Step on a Crack

Being obsessed with not stepping on a crack in the sidewalk or floor is very hindering to any kind of normal life. It also requires anyone suffering with this particular symptom to never be able to walk with their head up.

Hoarding - Another Symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

People become obsessed with everything they own or have ever owned. They can not throw anything away, frequently it is so severe that they will even hoard their garbage. People who suffer with this will rent storage units after they have completely filled their homes so as to continue with their hoarding.

Interestingly enough, people who hoard everything they own are usually not all that interested in cleaness or tidiness which is normally one of the paramount symptoms of OCD.

What is OCD? A Little More Understanding.

Not A Laughing Matter

Obviously this disorder has two components, obsession and compulsion. The obsession is the desire to accomplish or the fear of being unable to accomplish such as fear of germs. The compulsion is the behavior that results from what they are obsessing over, frequently repetitive such as incessant hand washing.

Another example of obsession is someone who is fearful of not being loved by someone. The compulsive behavior might be they have to count things or clean things and they actually fear that if they do not do this ritual, whatever it is, they will not be loved by this individual. It is an overwhelming and irresistible feeling that they can not cope with on an intellectual level. It is very emotional and controlling for them and extremely anxiety producing.

We laugh at the antics of the TV character, Monk or the grumpy OCD played by Jack Nicholas in "As Good As It Gets", but OCD is a very serious matter not to be taken lightly. People with severe forms of this disease are sometimes completely incapacitated. They are not able to live normal lives. They sometimes can not hold jobs, finish school or even live alone. Sometimes these people will isolate themselves from
"normal" life since they cannot cope with it. Sometimes they can not even go out in public and deal with "normal" people.

How Do You Love Someone with OCD

Some help for loved ones and family

Loving Someone with OCD: Help for You and Your Family
Amazon Price$13.57

Loving Someone with OCD: Help for You and Your Family

It is not only the person who has obsessive compulsive disorder that is dealing with this very difficult situation. Most people have someone that is loving them. Everyone has a mother and some kind of family. A lot of people have a love interest, a spouse, a best friend. But how in the world do you cope with loving someone who is obsessive and compulsive? Well here is how.

Do you Suffer from OCD or any Medical Symptom?

Everyone battles something. Share what bothers you.

Do you have any medical symptoms

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Yes, I'm a real case

LisaAuch says:

I have a few things going on!

Posted November 25, 2011

ColorPetGifts says:

Bipolar and fibromyalgia, have a colonoscopy soon, query is crohn's disease - yup, I'm a case. But bottoming out health wise (at least, the admission of such) has been a blessing in disguise, promoting healthy changes

Posted October 01, 2011

Peter-Wellington says:

thanks for the help that you're sharing here. x

Posted June 17, 2011

Alfiesgirl says:

Lol...where do I start...

Posted March 25, 2011

adhd-bipolar-depression says:

Yes, read my bio. I have found some medication that is working wonders at the moment though.

Posted February 02, 2011

teresaann says:

nice lense

Posted January 16, 2011

KokoTravel says:

Drive myself to the edge... always trying to be the best I can be... but I ask, how does one know when they have achieved the best they can be?

Posted January 09, 2011

oxypowdercoloncleansing says:

Health concerns are never a laughing matter. OCD is a disorder that causes uneasiness, apprehension, fear and even worry. On daily basis, it becomes impractical for it is time consuming and can even set things against a person. Most people do not notice that they have this disorder. It is important for people to learn more about OCD. Information dissemination is important so people can be get the right help. It takes some effort to be physically healthy, including eating healthy for the body to remove the wastes and toxins through the body's natural colon cleansing process. Being healthy does not only mean being physically fit but this includes mental fitness as well.

Posted October 01, 2010

inkserotica says:

I've a number of niggly problems that aren't serious in themselves (apart from the depression) but do wear me down over a long period of time. My only explanation for all this is that I'm a HSP :)

Posted October 23, 2008

nightbear says:

Yes, I have mild OCD now, for years it was much more controlling but the love of a good man helped me more than science.

Posted October 22, 2008

No, Right as rain

anxiety247 says:

Great information here. I've been counting to 7 since I was a little kid, can't explain why...I just do it. It doesn't control my life, but it is annoying after 25+ years of going through the "seven song" in my head.

When I found out how to cure anxiety I got much better, but still the counting continues for some odd reason. Anyway, I like your lens.

Posted August 28, 2011

Jimmie says:

I do notice the lines on the floor or sidewalk. But I don't get crazy about not stepping on them. When I was little, I would make up games for skipping every other one, or not stepping on the yellow tiles, etc. My eleven year old does that too, so I think it's a normal part of childhood.

Posted October 17, 2010

constipation says:

I need this information, thanks for that.
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Posted September 25, 2010

Rajays says:

So far so good. No medical symptoms diagnosed yet.

Posted September 15, 2010

says:

I am fine Womens Health Questions

Posted June 26, 2010

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Television's Famous OCD: Monk

Monk: The Complete Series
Amazon Price$149.95

Monk: The Complete Series

A famous example of someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the TV Detective Monk. That character is depicted as loveable and charming but highly affected by his disorder. That is a severe case indeed.

Once upon a time Adrian Monk was a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department, but he lost his nerve, his mind and then his badge. Now, this obsessive-compulsive detective is determined to get back on the force by solving one crime at a time in "the best detective show to come along in decades". (New York Post)

OCD Cartoon

Boy Does This Make the Point

The Movie About A Man with OCD That has Problems Coping Starring Jack Nicholson

As Good As It Gets (1997)
Amazon Price$6.99

As Good As It Gets (1997)

This is a favorite movie of mine. It is extremely realistic and on some levels disturbing. Perhaps only by those of us troubled by this disorder. But definitely this helps answer the question we are dealing with here, what is OCD?

Here is the movie synopsis by Amazon:
For all of its conventional plotting about an obsessive-compulsive curmudgeon (Jack Nicholson) who improves his personality at the urging of his gay neighbor (Greg Kinnear) and a waitress (Helen Hunt) who inspires his best behavior, this is one of the sharpest Hollywood comedies of the 1990s. Nicholson could play his role in his sleep (the Oscar he won should have gone to Robert Duvall for The Apostle), but his mischievous persona is precisely necessary to give heart to his seemingly heartless character, who is of all things a successful romance novelist. As a single mom with a chronically asthmatic young son, Hunt gives the film its conscience and integrity (along with plenty of wry humor), and she also won an Oscar for her wonderful performance. Greg Kinnear had to settle for an Oscar nomination (while cowriter-director James L. Brooks was inexplicably snubbed by Oscar that year), but his work was also singled out in the film's near-unanimous chorus of critical praise. It's questionable whether a romance between Hunt and the much older Nicholson is entirely believable, but this movie's smart enough--and charmingly funny enough--to make it seem endearingly possible. --Jeff Shannon

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Is there hope

How to Live With OCD : OCD Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: by expertvillage | video info

57 ratings | 34,882 views

curated content from YouTube

Severe Symptom of OCD: Skin Picking

Another severe case of obsessive compulsive disorder is the manifestation of chronic skin picking. Skin picking by definition is the recurrent picking of the skin accompanied by visible tissue damage, resulting in significant distress and/or functional impairment. (Flessner, 2)

Classified as an obsessive compulsive disorder, skin picking most frequently occurs in females with the onset of the disorder happening at or close to the age 16. Very little research has been done regarding this disorder, But research done by the university of Wisconsin-Milwaukee studied the soical problems and economic impact on skin picking. The results of this study were analyzed and significant relationships were revealed between chronic skin picking and depression or anxiety disorders, which as we have already discerned is the very basis of obsessive compulsive disorder and is therefore skin picking is listed as a manifestation of this same disease.

The most commonly picked area on the body is the face, arms and legs, indicating a reason for depression in many because of the permanent scarring that can result from recurrent skin picking. A surprising fact found in the study was that those who pick their skin actually spend 2.75 hours per day picking the skin, resisting the urge to pick the skin, or thinking about picking the skin.

It is a devastating symptom of the disorder because many people try to hide their OCD and try to fit in to the "normal" world as best they can but the skin pickers have physical evidence of their disorder that can leaved the permanently scared and frequently requiring medical attention for skin infections.

OCD Symptoms - Skin Picking Disorder

What is OCD? is answerable and it can be manageable

There is Hope

Some people with obsessive compulsive disorder are aware they have the problem. But others are so affected by it that they are not aware that they are performing the rituals that have become the controlling factors of their lives. Even when told of their behavior by others, they deny it or have no idea what the person is talking about.

Less severe forms of obsessive compulsive disorder may allow people with the disorder to be aware they are acting irrationally, but they really can't help themselves, they continue anyway.

While many used to think it was caused by environmental circumstances of children, it is now reported to be probably caused by a specific neurological problem. It is not psychological or a mental disorder. More than a single factor is involved. There are treatments for OCD, mostly palliative. There are no known cures.

Getting help for OCD is recommended. But if you have a severe form of the disease where you are being hindered from living a normal productive live, seeking treatment is imperative. With medication to control anxiety and severe symptoms, and behavioral therapy most patients with OCD can be helped and learn to control the disorder and their anxiety and lead happy healthy lives.

As we said at the outset "What is OCD?" Although this question has an answer, this disease can be difficult and all consuming, but don't despair, with hard work and diligence you can overcome OCD .

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Some Other Great Medical Articles

Written by nightbear

What People Are Saying About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The Real Experience Of Obsession: I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). But I want you to consider your own obsessions before we talk about my clinical ones, because the line between the two is not as clean and distinct as you might think. I suffer from debilitating obsessions ...
'Boy in the Bathroom' depicts emotional toll of OCD: 16-18, tells the story of David, a college student with obsessive-compulsive disorder who refuses to come out of his bathroom. ?I didn't necessarily want to produce a play about OCD, but I read the script and I was just so taken by it that I thought it ...
Triggered: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: By Fletcher Wortmann ?Triggered: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? is for anyone who is or knows someone who is suffering from mental illness of any type. While Wortmann wrestles with OCD, he is more than sympathetic regarding all types of ...
Doomsday Student are born again: Their singer, known as Mr. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mr. Pottymouth, spat out psychosexual wordplay in a nasally voice. The drummer, Mr. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, threw down testosterone-charged rhythms. The two guitarists, Mr. Type A and ...

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What is OCD? - Medical Symptoms

Medical symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is it? How do we live with it?

What is OCD?

Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Hand Washing

OCD Quiz - How Much Do You Know About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

A Symptom of OCD

Don't Step on a Crack

Hoarding - Another Symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is OCD? A Little More Understanding.

Not A Laughing Matter

How Do You Love Someone with OCD

Some help for loved ones and family

Do you Suffer from OCD or any Medical Symptom?

Everyone battles something. Share what bothers you.

Do you have any medical symptoms

Yes, I'm a real case

LisaAuch says:

ColorPetGifts says:

Peter-Wellington says:

Alfiesgirl says:

adhd-bipolar-depression says:

teresaann says:

KokoTravel says:

oxypowdercoloncleansing says:

inkserotica says:

nightbear says:

No, Right as rain

anxiety247 says:

Jimmie says:

constipation says:

Rajays says:

says:

Television's Famous OCD: Monk

OCD Cartoon

Boy Does This Make the Point

The Movie About A Man with OCD That has Problems Coping Starring Jack Nicholson

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Is there hope

Severe Symptom of OCD: Skin Picking

OCD Symptoms - Skin Picking Disorder

What is OCD? is answerable and it can be manageable

There is Hope

If you learned something or enjoyed this article about What is OCD?

Please share some love

Advertise Your OCD

Why Not?!

Some Other Great Medical Articles

Written by nightbear

What People Are Saying About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Please put this Article about OCD somewhere safe

You may want to reference it or share it with your friends

Excellent Articles on Medical or Emotional Conditions

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