1. Running Head: OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 1
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and its Effects on Family Members
Deyanira Mora
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

2. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 2
Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder and its Effects on Family Members
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is an anxietydisorder
characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to do repetitive
behaviors. People with OCD may realize that their obsessions are not
reasonable, and may try to ignore them,but that only increases the distress
and anxiety. Ultimately, they are driven to perform compulsive acts in an
effort to ease the stress. They alsofeel the need to check things or perform
routines and rituals repeatedly.For many people, OCD starts during childhood
or the teen years and their symptoms might come and go during their
lifetime("Obsessive Compulsive Disorder", 2010).
This disorder often centers on themes, such as a fear of getting
contaminated by germs. To ease contamination fears, they may compulsively
wash their hands until they are sore and chapped.("Symptoms and
Treatment of OCD", n.d.) Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder
fall into one of the following categories:
Washers are afraid of contamination. They usually have cleaning or
hand-washing compulsions.
Checkers repeatedly check things (oven turned off, door locked, etc.)
that they associate with harm or danger.

3. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 3
Doubters and sinners are afraid that if everything isn’t perfect or done
just right something terrible will happen or they will be punished.
Counters and arrangers are obsessed with order and symmetry. They
may have superstitions about certain numbers, colors, or
arrangements.
Hoarders fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything
away("OCD", n.d.). They compulsively hoard things that they don’t
need or use.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder sometimes runs in families, but no one
knows for sure why some people have it. Researchers have found that
several parts of the brain are involved in fear and anxiety; therefore, by
learning more about the brain, scientists may be able to create better
treatments("OCD", n.d.).

4. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 4
References
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. (2010). Retrieved August 9, 2012, from www.nimh.nih.gov
OCD. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2012, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-
compulsive-disorder/DS00189
Symptoms and Treatment of OCD. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2012, from
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_ocd.htm