Obsessive compulsive disorder what is it

Intrusive thoughts can be unexpected and upsetting. Understand why we have intrusive thoughts, when they may become a problem, and what to do to make…. The process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts is called rumination. A habit of rumination can be dangerous to your mental health, as it…. Researchers say doubts about past experiences may propel people with OCD to repeat their behavior.

Bipolar disorder shares some similarities with OCD. It's even possible to have both disorders at the same time. The reality is that it can be incredibly scary. What others might think of as a harmless…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. What is OCD? Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. See, Play and Learn No links available. Resources Find an Expert. What is obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD?

What causes obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD? Who is at risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD? Risk factors for OCD include Family history. People with a first-degree relative such as a parent, sibling, or child who has OCD are at higher risk. This is especially true if the relative developed OCD as a child or teen. Brain structure and functioning.

Imaging studies have shown that people with OCD have differences in certain parts of the brain. Researchers need to do more studies to understand the connection between the brain differences and OCD. Childhood trauma, such as child abuse.

Some studies have found a link between trauma in childhood and OCD. The behavior may take on a ritualistic aspect. The first signs of OCD often appear in adolescence, but they sometimes emerge in childhood. Complications among young people, including children, with OCD include:. When OCD begins in childhood, it may be more common in males than females. By adulthood, however, it affects males and females at equal rates. Experts do not know what causes OCD, but there are various theories.

Genetic, neurological, behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors may all contribute. OCD appears to run in families, suggesting a possible genetic link, which experts are investigating. Imaging studies have suggested that the brains of people with OCD function with characteristic differences.

Genes that affect how the brain responds to the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin , for example, may play a role in causing the disorder. Sometimes, symptoms of OCD appear in children after an infection, such as:.

In a child with PANS, the symptoms start suddenly and reach full intensity within 24—72 hours. They may then disappear but return at a later date. One theory suggests that a person with OCD learns to avoid fear associated with certain situations or objects by performing rituals to reduce the perceived risk.

The initial fear may begin around a period of intense stress , such as a traumatic event or significant loss. Once the person associates an object or circumstance with this feeling of fear, they begin to avoid that object or situation in a way that comes to characterize OCD.

Another theory is that OCD starts when people misinterpret their own thoughts. Most people have unwelcome or intrusive thoughts at times, but for people with OCD, the importance of these thoughts becomes more intense or extreme.

Take the example of a person caring for an infant while under intense pressure and having intrusive thoughts of accidentally harming the baby. A person might usually disregard these thoughts, but if the thoughts persist, they may take on unwarranted significance. For people with OCD, thoughts are persistent, and behaviors are rigid.

Not performing the behaviors commonly causes great distress. Many people with OCD know or suspect their obsessions are not realistic; others may think they could be true known as limited insight. Even if they know their obsessions are not realistic, people with OCD have difficulty disengaging from the obsessive thoughts or stopping the compulsive actions.

OCD often begins in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood; the average age symptoms appear is 19 years old. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.

Many people with OCD recognize that the thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of their mind and are excessive or unreasonable. However, the distress caused by these intrusive thoughts cannot be resolved by logic or reasoning. Most people with OCD try to ease the distress of the obsessions with compulsions, ignore or suppress the obsessions, or distract themselves with other activities.

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession. The behaviors typically prevent or reduce a person's distress related to an obsession.

Compulsions may be excessive responses that are directly relate to an obsession such as excessive hand washing due to the fear of contamination or actions that are completely unrelated to the obsession.