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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is defined by the Mayo Clinic as an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). With obsessive-compulsive disorder, you may realize that your obsessions arent reaso nable, and you may try to ignore them or stop them; but that only increases your distress and anxiety. Ultimately, you feel driven to perform compulsive acts in an effort to ease your stressful feelings. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often centers on themes, such as a fear of getting contaminated by germs. To ease your contamination fears, you may compulsively wash your hands until theyre sore and chapped. Despite your efforts, thoughts of obsessive- compulsive behavior keep coming back. This leads to more ritualistic behavior- and a vicious cycle thats characteristic of obsessive- compulsive disorder, continued from the Mayo Clinic.
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OCD is more prevalent in recent times than it was 10-20 years ago
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What are some support resources for individuals/ families dealing with OCD?
There are several websites that are freely available to individuals seeking to learn not only more about what OCD is but also ways to support someone dealing with OCD as well as yourself. Among hundreds of websites some that I personally recommend include MayoClinic.com: Defines what OCD is, lists possible symptoms, causes, risk factors, and complications associated with the disorder, provides tips on how to prepare for an appointment discussing OCD, describes possible tests given to diagnose OCD, lists possible treatments and drugs as well as potential home remedies, and provides suggestions on coping and supporting individuals with OCD. Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.com: Details what the disorder is including an in-depth analysis of obsessions and compulsions, offers possible treatment tactics, and offers personal testimonies of individuals with/ working with OCD. OCDEducationStation.org: Includes facts about OCD, depicts the role of school personnel in relation to students with OCD, and describes ways to recognize OCD within a school setting and how it affects students both academically and socially. In addition to websites, many books are available to provide personal perspective into individuals living with OCD and the struggles they encounter. Some of these particular types of autobiographical books include: Everything In Its Place: My Trials and Triumphs with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Marc Summers The Other Side of Darkness by Melody Carlson Finally, many support groups can be offered to both individuals with/ families of individuals with OCD. Finding support groups in your area can be done through the OCFoundation.org website. Individuals can type in their location (city, state, zip code) and they will be provided with a list of support groups available to them. Some support groups closest to Champaign, IL 61820 include: PANDAS Parent Support Illinois located in Pontiac, IL Young Adult OCD Support Group located in West Lafayette, IN OCD Support Group located in Indianapolis, IN
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Sources used
"OCD Education Station." OCD Education Station. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ocdeducationstation.org/>. Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsivedisorder/DS00189/DSECTION=symptoms>. "Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://understanding_ocd.tripod.com/index.html>. "Who We Are." International OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ocfoundation.org/index.aspx>.