Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about the same amount of men and women suffer from this disorder and it can occur in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. This disorder is usually treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Themed Obsessions
When someone begins to display symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, he might seem obsessed around something specific. The Mayo Clinic reports that common obsessions include fear of germs or dirt, sexual thoughts, aggressive impulses and the need for order and symmetry. For instance, someone might have obsessions about hurting a loved one.
Obsessive Symptoms
People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder may seem odd to their friends, peers and family members. The obsessive symptoms are so severe that they affect the person's ability to be successful at work or school and to make and maintain healthy relationships. Many times the person lives in a constant state of worry and fear. For instance, someone who is obsessed with germs and getting dirty might constantly worry if there is dirt on her hands, on her food and in public places. The person often has trouble concentrating, because the obsessive thoughts are constantly present and pop up when the person is trying to work, take a test or focus at a meeting.
Someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder might have dermatitis from washing her hands repeatedly or have skin lesions from picking her skin. The person might obsessively pull out her hair which can lead to bald patches.
Themed Compulsions
Compulsions occur when someone feels that they must perform certain behaviors. They might think that people will get hurt, including themselves, if they don't perform the compulsive behaviors. Some common compulsive behaviors according to the Mayo Clinic are keeping things orderly, checking things over and over, doing the same action over and over, washing and cleaning and counting things.
Compulsive Symptoms
The thoughts of person with obsessive-compulsive disorder lead the person to want to perform certain behaviors. Someone with this disorder might wash his hands ten times before he eats his meals. He might check his windows and doors hundreds of times each day to ensure they are locked. This can lead to the person not being able to sleep. A person with this disorder might have to do things in certain numbers. For instance, the person might have to take steps, go through doorways and wash his hands in sets of three.
