Do you always wash your hand after shaking hands with someone? Do you at least change clothes at least 10 times before you leave for work? Do you go to the doctor for a check up once a week?

You’d better be careful if your answers to my above questions are YES.

Have you ever heard about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? If you don’t, read the details below. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disease that triggers people to have unnecessary thoughts (obsessions) and to duplicate specific behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. Please note that it is normal for people to have routines but if you overdo it, it can lead you to OCD.

Some researchers believe that OCD stems from behavior habits that you learn over time. Yet, no one has found a single, proven cause for OCD. Some studies show that it may have to do with chemicals in the brain that carry messages from one nerve cell to another. There is also a chance for someone to develop OCD if he/she has parents or other family member with the disorder although researchers haven’t identified it yet. Another factor is stress. If you react or retain to stress very strongly, you might also have a chance to develop OCD or any other disorder.

However, it can be cured with the right treatments which are psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy involves step by step exposure to the object that you feel afraid of or to your obsessions. One of the medications taken by OCD patients is antidepressant which can help increase levels of serotonin.

Yet, both treatments should be followed by big supports from friends and family. Also, joining a support group to share experiences with other patients is also a very good way to be speedily cured.