Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which sufferers have uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors. The thoughts are very often repugnant, intrusive, unwanted thoughts that the individual finds disturbing enough to cause significant problem in everyday life. The compulsions can be any behavior or mental act that brings temporary relief from the obsessive thoughts. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder that can seriously impact a person’s daily life if not treated. Some researchers think OCD might be genetic, while others suggest it could be environmental.

The first signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder typically occur in childhood or adolescence, and it may affect as many as 2% to 3% of adults. It is more than twice as common for men to be diagnosed with OCD than women, and it affects about 40% of people who have a first-degree relative with OCD.