Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), one of the anxiety disorders, is a potentially disabling condition that can persist throughout a person's life. The individual who suffers from OCD becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive thoughts and behaviors that are senseless and distressing but extremely difficult to overcome. OCD occurs in a spectrum from mild to severe, but if severe and left untreated, can destroy a person's capacity to function at work, at school, or even in the home.

The case histories in this brochure are typical for those who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder--a disorder that can be effectively treated. However, the characters are not real.

	How Common Is OCD?
	Key Features of OCD
	What Causes OCD?
	Do I Have OCD?
	Treatment of OCD; Progress Through Research
	How to Get Help for OCD
	What the Family Can Do to Help
	Continuing Research
	If You Have Special Needs
	For Further OCD Information
	OCD References

01/21/99

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) conducts and supports research nationwide on mental illness and mental health, including studies of the brain, behavior, and mental health services. NIMH is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the principal biomedical and behavioral research agency of the United States Government. NIMH is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.