Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health/article/1313906/animal-research-provides-clues-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

"I have OCD because I like things organized."
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is not a quirk, but an actual illness individuals go through. Many stigmas surround OCD such as being overly clean, organized, etc. This does not equal OCD. 

What is OCD? 
Individuals who are diagnosed with obsessive compulsive order deal with intrusive thoughts which causes their minds to worry and obsess about images and thoughts. These intrusive thoughts bring anxiety to the individual and therefore the person does a compulsion to try and rid themselves of this feeling. This compulsion only makes OCD worse, therefore making it a debilitating cycle.

(http://www.mindauthor.com/psychology/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/attachment/ocd-cycle/)

We all experience intrusive thoughts, but what makes OCD different? 
OCD is about obsessions. Most people know OCD as being cleanly, and organized. These are common fears with individuals with OCD but they also can expand towards the fear of harming others, taboo sexual thoughts, self harming, or the fear of aggressive behavior. In order to rid themselves of these thoughts, individuals with OCD engage in compulsions. Some compulsions include:
hand washing
repeatedly checking
ruminating
counting


(welldoing.org)

Compulsions are time consuming and tend to leave the individual tired and upset. These compulsions are hard to control and therefore make OCD a very exhausting illness. 

Some causes of OCD include childhood traumas, environment, and brain functioning. 

Treatments include: 
therapy
medication


Sources: 
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml

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