Obsessive compulsive disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder
(OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of
either obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are frequent,
disturbing thoughts that the person is unable to prevent (e.g.,
repeated thoughts of harming oneself or another person).
Compulsions are usually specific behaviors (e.g., handwashing
due to a fear of germs) that the individual feels compelled to
perform over and over again; being prevented from engaging in
these behaviors causes extreme anxiety. OCD patients recognize
that their obsessions or compulsions are excessive. There are
two primary methods of treatment for OCD. Exposure therapy is a
method in which the OCD sufferer is exposed to the thing that he
or she fears and prevented from engaging in compensating
behaviors. For example, a patient who washes his hands for hours
due to fear of germs may be exposed to germs in a public
restroom and not allowed to wash his hands. Repeated exposure
teaches the patient that the fear is