Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that affects about 1 in 40 adults and approximately 1 in 100 children (Facts about OCD 1). Over four million people in the United States are affected by OCD (Black 66). OCD is a very common mental illness in which people feel burdened by unwanted thoughts or forced to repeat troublesome actions, says “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” (1). Some patients also have the need to repeat their actions to prevent harmful events. OCD is a mental disorder that can impair daily function. To begin with, when a human being has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the brain is affected because of an issue with development of the genes, prior injuries, or even just a small defect in the brain. Humans cannot …show more content…
Unwanted thoughts like nasty and disturbing images in peoples’ heads are a sign that someone could have OCD. Do not be confused though, this can be a sign of many other mental illnesses too so do not assume someone may have OCD. Certain pediatricians and dermatologists can tell if patients with OCD have a certain kind of compulsion called trichotillomania, which is the compulsive urge to pull their own hair out. Another compulsion type people with OCD sometimes have to deal with is skin picking (Specialist Urges OCD 1). It is kind of like methamphetamine users when they are under the drug or having withdrawals from getting off the drug. They feel like something is under their skin so they pick and try to get it out. This is called tactile hallucinations. OCD is obviously not their fault like the methamphetamine users’ fault. A child might insist on drawing a map over and over many times or might need to spend an hour getting pencils sharpened, papers sorted, or a desktop arranged before a writing assignment. To an outsider or someone that does not understand, these “actions” might look like delaying tactics, but specialists say that they are likely to be rituals to relieve anxiety, avoid a dreaded event, or prevent and relieve discomfort”