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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Symptoms
Symptoms of OCD, including the most common patterns of obsessions and compulsions
What Is OCD?
Do you or someone you know seem preoccupied with repetitive thoughts or actions? Do these recurring rituals interfere with your life? If so, this basic overview of OCD will help you better understand the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of obsessions and compulsions.
Treatment
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be treated with medication, psychotherapy, education, and support.
Living With OCD
How to cope when you have been diagnosed with OCD. Advice on improving your chances for success.
Diagnosis of OCD
How OCD Is Diagnosed
Paxil
Paxil (paroxetine) is a medication approved for the treatment of OCD. Paxil is an SSRI and it's used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety and OCD. Paxil may cause side effects and have drug-drug interactions, so it is important to learn about this medication if you have had it prescribed for OCD.
Hoarding
Hoarding is a form of OCD in which a person accumulates large amounts of unnecessary items. Learn more about this distinct, debilitating type of OCD, including its symptoms and treatment options.
Prozac
Prozac (fluoxetine) is a medication approved for the treatment of OCD. Prozac is an SSRI and it's used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety and OCD. Prozac may cause side effects and have drug-drug interactions, so it is important to learn about this medication if you have had it prescribed for OCD.
Am I Just Quirky?
Do you arrange your shoes by color? Do you buy your cleaning products in multiples of two? Are behaviors like these just personal quirks, or do they mean something more? How to know if your idiosyncrasies could be OCD.
Duration of OCD Treatment
Information on OCD treatment duration, including the length of time generally recommended for staying on medication.
OCD and Relationships
OCD can affect all aspects of a person's life, including one's relationships. Learn how OCD affects relationships, and what to do about it.
Howard Hughes
Billionaire, entrepreneur and aviator Howard Hughes struggled with OCD throughout much of his life. Read more here about his life, career and OCD symptoms.
Anntidepressant Safety
How do you know which medications for OCD are safe to take during pregnancy? Are some antidepressants safer than others? Are any of them especially safe or unsafe? Read more here about this important topic for women
Marc Summers and OCD
TV personality Marc Summers has been open about his struggles with OCD. Read his profile here to learn more about Marc Summers and how he has dealt with OCD.
Definition of Norepinephrine
What is the definition of norepinephrine? How does norepinephrine relate to OCD and the medications used to treat OCD?
Is There a Cure for OCD?
Does OCD get better? What are my chances for improvement or cure? Learn more about the prognosis for OCD.
Causes of OCD
What causes OCD? While some aspects of this disease are still unknown, there is much we do know about the potential causes of OCD. Genetics, brain chemistry, anatomy, infection, lifestyle and learned behaviors all play a role.
Howard Stern
Several celebrities have been vocal about their struggles with OCD. Radio host Howard Stern is one such celebrity, who has experienced symptoms of OCD for some time. This profile gives biographical information about Howard Stern, including information about his OCD symptoms.
Drinking and Medication
FAQ Is it OK for me to drink alcohol while I am on medication to treat OCD? Is it safe to regularly or occasionally consume alcohol while taking antianxiety or antidepressant meds?
Checking
Compulsive checking is one of the most common forms of OCD. Sufferers experience obsessive self-doubt, which is usually followed by checking behaviors such as needing to check locks and stoves.
OCD Meds in Pregnancy
What are the rules on medication for pregnant women with OCD? Is it best to stops meds? Continue them? Learn more about this important treatment topic here.
Pathological
An OCD Glossary- What does the word "pathological" mean? Learn the definition of "pathological."
Ruminate
OCD Glossary: What is rumination? Rumination (or ruminating) can be a symptom of OCD. Read on to learn more about this psychiatric symptom.
Obsession
OCD Glossary: What is an obsession? Obsessions are an essential symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Read on to learn more about obsessions and what they mean.
Epidemiology
An OCD Glossary- What does the word "epidemiology" mean? Learn the definition of "epidemiology."
Prognosis
OCD Glossary: Learn the definition of "prognosis."
Prevalence of OCD
Just how common is OCD? How many people have the disorder, and what are my chances for developing it?
Etiology
An OCD Glossary- What does "etiology" mean? Learn the definition of "etiology."
Psychotherapy Basics
What is psychotherapy? Psychotherapy or "talk therapy" is a vital part of mental health treatment. There are many different forms of psychotherapy, and there are many types of professionals who may provide it. Read more on the basics of psychotherapy.
Dopamine
OCD glossary: The definition of dopamine. Learn what dopamine is and how it relates to OCD.
Prevalence
What is the definition of the word "prevalence?" Learn the definition of prevalence in this OCD glossary page.
Perseveration
OCD Glossary: What is perseveration? Perseveration can be a symptom of OCD. Read on to learn more about this psychiatric symptom.
Efficacy of OCD Therapy
Psychotherapy with or without medication is the recommended treatment for OCD. But how much do we know about whether "talk therapy" really works?
Refractory OCD
An OCD Glossary- What is "refractory" OCD? Learn the definition of the word "refractory."
Hoard
OCD Glossary: What is hoarding? Hoarding can be a symptom of OCD. Read on to learn more about this psychiatric symptom.
Incidence
What is incidence? Learn the definition of "incidence" in this OCD glossary page.

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