What We Know
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in the very general sense is characterized by recurring and persistent thoughts (obsession) followed by actions (compulsion) that are driven by the thought [1]. It affects 2.2 million adults in the United States. Symptoms can appear at any age, but the average age of childhood onset is 10, while adult onset is 20 years old [2].
How It Affects Our World
It is recognized that about 50% of individuals who have OCD are severely impaired in work/school, social and or family life. About 35% of individuals are moderately impaired and 15% are mildly impaired [3] [4]. This means everyday functioning is challenged due to the obsessions and compulsive behaviors.
What We Can Do About It
At Finding The Light Project we will always highly recommend professional medical and mental health providers as the foundation of treatment. Beyond that, we are here to provide you with knowledge, theological reasoning and encouragement. We invite you to subscribe and explore how you can find light in the darkness. It’s time to find hope and happiness once again!
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 9-8-8
Resources
[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
[2] National Institute of Mental Health (2020). Obsessive-compulsive Disorder: When unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors take over. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[3] Sheehan disability scale (SDS)-Overview. Retrieved from https://medfam.umontreal.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/Sheehan-Disability-Scale-anglais.pdf
[4] National Institute of Mental Health. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD). Washington DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd.shtml