Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.

OCD affects about 2.2 million American adults, and the problem can be accompanied by eating disorders, other anxiety disorders, or depression. It strikes men and women in roughly equal numbers and usually appears in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. One-third of adults with OCD develop symptoms as children, and research indicates that OCD might run in families.

People with OCD may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals. They may be obsessed with germs or dirt, and wash their hands over and over. They may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly.

Factors that may increase the risk of developing or triggering obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

• Family history. Having parents or other family members with the disorder can increase your risk of developing OCD. At the present, however, no genes responsible for obsessive-compulsive disorder have been identified.
• Stressful life events. If you tend to react strongly to stress, your risk of developing OCD may increase. Strong stress reactions may, for some reason, trigger the intrusive thoughts, rituals and emotional distress characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Pregnancy. Some studies show that pregnant women and new mothers are at increased risk, however, it is unclear why. Frequently in these cases, the OCD symptoms center mainly on thoughts of harming the baby.

Symptoms of OCD can vary from person to person. While it is common for people to experience a combination of OCD traits, the most common personality profiles evident in OCD are:

• Checkers: Checkers frequently feel compelled to check objects such as door locks and "on and off" settings on household appliances. Individuals, who compulsively check, often live with an excessive, irrational fear that harm will be brought to themselves or others because of a failure to check and recheck things.
• Washers and Cleaners: Washers and cleaners possess an irrational fear of contamination, and are obsessed with thoughts and worries regarding disease spread by dirt, germs, viruses, and foreign substances.
• Orderers: Orderers are focused on arranging things in the "right" way. These individuals become extremely distressed if their things are moved, touched, or rearranged in any way, shape or form.
• Obsessionals: People who obsess often experience unwanted, intrusive and horrific thoughts and images to the point of distraction. To counteract these disturbing thoughts and images, people with a tendency to obsess will frequently engage in repetitive behaviors such as praying, counting, or repeating certain words.
• Hoarders: Hoarders are individuals who compulsively collect items and have difficulty throwing away things most people would consider to be of no value. Hoarders often have chaotic living environments as a result of their compulsive collection behaviors and amount of items that they hoard.

OCD usually responds well to treatment with certain medications and/or exposure-based psychotherapy, in which people face situations that cause fear or anxiety and become desensitized to them. New approaches include combination and augmentation (add-on) treatments, as well as modern techniques such as deep brain stimulation