However, if one or both parents have manic-depressive illness, the chances are greater that their children will develop the disorder. Manic-depressive illness may begin either with manic or depressive symptoms. Depressive Symptoms persistent sadness, frequent crying, depression loss of enjoyment in favorite activities frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches or stomach aches low energy level, poor concentration, complaints of boredom major change in eating or sleeping patterns, such as oversleeping or overeating. A thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist can be helpful in identifying the problems and starting specific treatment. These obsessions can be thoughts, images or impulses that are seen as unwanted and senseless.
Compulsions are repetitive intentional behaviors that are carried out in a stereo-typed fashion.
For example, a person might wash their hands many times a day, spend hours checking locks or appliances, or rearrange objects symmetrically. Usually the person realizes that these thoughts or behaviors don't make sense, and therefore, they often are secretive and anxious about the problem. Because many patients with OCD have this type of conditions, identifying other disorders is extremely important. The most frequent coexisting conditions are mood an anxiety disorders. When these other disorders are severe, as in the case of Bipolar Disorder, the OCD may be manageable only when the mood has been stabilized.