Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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are not obsessing. They know that their obsessions and compulsions are based on reasonable fears. However, there are times when they feel that their fears are completely valid. Even though people with OCD know that their fears are reasonable, many try to release themselves of these unwanted, obsessive thoughts and to stop performing their compulsive behaviors. Some can control themselves while at work or at school. Over a long period of time, the ability to resist feelings would weaken and prevent that individual from having a full and normal life. Even though OCD can consume one's life, people try to keep their disorder from their friends rather than to seek help. Most people are successful in keeping it a secret from their friends and co-workers, but the disadvantage is that they do not get the help they need until years later.
Some practitioners will administer a self-test of screening questions to individuals whom they suspect may be suffering from OCD (medicinenet.com). In ...

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researchers have several possibilities that they think are the cause.
A specific chromosome/gene variation has been found to possibly double the likelihood of a person developing OCD (medicine.net.com). It is thought that an imbalance of the chemical serotonin in the brain may also contribute to the development of OCD. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sends messages to and from nerves throughout the brain. The neurotransmitter is released by a nerve ending, known as a synapse; it then crosses a gap and is then picked up by another nerve ending. Serotonin is generally cleaned out of the synapses by enzymes located in the brain. Drugs that increase the levels of serotonin in ...

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