This behavior can be a physical action (e.g. handwashing) or a mental act (e.g. praying, repeating words silently, counting.) The behavior is aimed at neutralizing anxiety or distress. One example of this is excessive handwashing intended to ward off infection.

Causes and Risks

OCD was previously believed to be rare. However, recent data show that 2-3% of people, or about 7 million Americans, suffer from this disorder. OCD usually is noticed between the ages of 20 and 30, and 75% of those who will develop it show symptoms by age 30.

There are several psychological theories about the cause of OCD, but none has been confirmed. Some reports associate OCD with head trauma or infections, but no link has been proven. Similarly, although there are several studies showing brain abnormalities in patients with OCD (decreased caudate size, decreased white matter) the results are inconsistent and still under investigation. Interestingly, 20% of OCD sufferers also have motor tics, suggesting it may be related to Tourette Syndrome, but this link has not been proven or explained.

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