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From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor
It's become common to say things like "I'm so OCD" when referring to your overzealous cleaning habit. But obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't just slang; it's a recognized mental disorder that can cause a lot of strife for those who suffer from it.

Symptoms of OCD 
There are two main OCD symptoms -- obsessions, or the unwanted thoughts that you can't get out of your head, and compulsions, the behaviors that you feel you have to carry out over and over.
See More About:  ocd diagnosis  obsessions  compulsions
Getting a Diagnosis 
A diagnosis of OCD often deals with the severity and duration of your symptoms. For example, if you have OCD, you will usually spend more than an hour a day thinking about your obsession, or carrying out your compulsion or ritual.
Treating OCD 
There are several treatment options for OCD, involving medications, therapy, and self-help strategies that focus on relaxation and/or distraction.
Types of OCD 
There are a variety of subtypes of OCD. If you've ever seen the TV show "Hoarders," then you're probably familiar with that type, but there are a few others as well.
See More About:  dsm-iv  obsessions  compulsions
 

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