Obsessive compulsive disorder

The great hidden disorder.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts embarrassingly silly but cause great anxiety- did I leave the electricity on? Are there some germs I left on my hands? Will asbestos filter through the door and infect me?
Compulsions are behaviours designed to reduce anxiety and appease the obsessional thoughts, like checking the doors, switches,washing hands, counting magic numbers.
Hidden disorder because most of those who suffer realise that other people will think they are silly.
It is highly related to hoarding disorders, tics and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, trichotillomania (hair pulling) as well as habits like nail biting and skin picking.
It is often confused with a totally unrelated issue - the obsessional person. This person is a born neat person, likes to be a perfectionist but this is not the same as OCD.
Most people are so embarrassed that they do not seek help. A pity really as treatments work well and there is no need to suffer. Treatments include psychological approaches and some people may .need medications.
What causes OCD? It has genetic links to family members who suffer the same. Interestingly there is evidence of some cases caused by the immune system attacking the brain (basal ganglia) sometimes after a sore throat. Stressful events can bring on an attack and psychoanalytic theories discuss repressed anger as the source of the problem.
Seek help if you suffer this disorder. Not only do you suffer but your family does too.