Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that can sometimes be severe enough and may continue for years.

The person with OCD is trapped in a series of repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that, although meaningless even for the sufferer himself, cause great discomfort and are very difficult to overcome.

Obsessions refer to stubborn and repetitive ideas, impulses or images that are perceived by the individual as intrusive or inappropriate, and create intense anxiety or discontent.

Obsessive compulsive behaviors are repetitive behaviors daiming to eliminate or reduce anxiety and these negative emotions without, however, causing pleasure or satisfaction to the individual. The result is that the individual spends at least one hour of the day on them, or they can cause a serious problem in his/her functionality or intense subjective inconvenience.

The sufferer often attempts to ignore, suppress or neutralize his thoughts and impulses by resorting to compulsive acts. He feels compelled to carry out these actions, either to reduce the anxiety that he feels about obsession or to stop the incident or the situation he is afraid of.

When the individual realizes that his obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable, he/she may try to resist the execution of compulsive acts. But if these actions are not performed, the increased sense of anxiety can reach a panic.

The disorder usually occurs in teenage or young adulthood. Starting often is gradual, but it can also be acute. The course is usually chronic, with fluctuations of recession and exacerbation, which are associated with stressful situations.

How will I know if I have an obsessive compulsive disorder? 

This person displays obsessions and compulsions to such an extent that his daily functioning is affected. OCD patients should not be identified with people we sometimes call 'compulsive' in everyday life. This term refers to people perfectionists with very high standards, both in their work and out of work. Sometimes this "compulsiveness" can help achieve a goal and raise one's self-esteem, but it differs from the serious symptoms of OCD patients.

How is obsessive compulsive disorder treated? 

Obsessive Compulsive disorder was found to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and behavioral therapy, and perhaps responding better to the combination of these therapies. However, some patients are not able to follow behavioral therapy due to severe anxiety and associated conditions.

These patients should receive enough medication before going back to behavioral therapy. An adequate pharmacotherapy should last at least 12 weeks at the maximum tolerated dose.

However, the improvement in symptoms may be relatively slow and may take several weeks. For this reason, patients should be advised that they may experience side effects before they become aware of the positive effects of the treatment. Medication should be continued for at least one year after the treatment is established. Generally, these patients require much higher doses of medication than those treated for depression.