The unwanted repetitive thoughts which become obsessive can be a huge burden to millions of people. “OCD afflicts about 3.3 million adults and about 1 million children and adolescents in the U.S. The disorder usually first appears in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. It occurs about equally in men and women and affects people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds.”(WebMD.com.2005-2015.) OCD is a debilitating condition and for those who suffer from it are often washing their hands or quadruple checking to make sure they turned off the stove. It’s all done compulsively and they often use these compulsive, often ritualistic behaviors to relieve intense and unbearable anxiety. OCD can make it impossible for someone to have or keep a job, run a household, or simply sit still especially if they feel compelled to run to the bathroom thirty times an hour. Both the thoughts and behaviors that are associated with OCD are often driven by fear that in itself is obsessive such as, if you don’t go to the bathroom thirty times your house may burn down and you might die. This may sound farfetched and insane, but for those that suffer from the disorder it’s very much a possible reality. In some cases, OCD can be passed from parent to child. “This means the biological vulnerability to develop OCD may sometimes be …show more content…
“For example, you may have an overall sense that something terrible will happen if you don't follow through with a particular ritual, such as repeatedly checking to see whether the stove is on. If you don't perform the ritual, you may have immediate anxiety or a nagging sense of incompleteness. Symptoms of OCD vary with each person and include the following.”(WebMD.com.2005-2015.) Some obsessive thoughts include, “fear of dirt or germs or overconcern about body smells/secretions or the proper functioning of the body, over concern with order, neatness, and exactness, fear of thinking bad thoughts or doing something embarrassing, or constantly thinking of certain sounds, words, or numbers, or a preoccupation with counting or checking…”(WebMD.com.2005-2015.) Some compulsive behaviors include, “frequently washing hands, showering, or brushing teeth or overusing items to hide body smells, constantly cleaning, straightening, and ordering certain objects, repeatedly checking zippers and buttons on clothing, or checking lights, appliances, or doors again and again to be sure they are turned off or