A type of anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder is marked by obsessions recurring, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts that cause anxiety and compulsions repetitive, ritualistic actions performed to relieve the anxiety. These rituals can literally take hours to perform each day, interfering with every aspect of life.
Victims are powerless to control the thoughts and rituals, even though they know they make no sense.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder afflicts millions of Americans and can strike at any age. The disorder causes embarrassment and confusion in many victims to the extent that they refuse or are unable to seek treatment. But treatment is available, and advances in medications and therapies have successfully returned many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder to productive, satisfying lives. While research has led to a significant understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder, scientists have not found the exact mechanism that triggers the illness. However, recent studies have linked obsessive-compulsive disorder to imbalances in brain chemistry.