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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Screening Quiz, Dr. Grohol's Psych Central:"Use this brief screening measure to help you determine if you might need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Instructions: This is a screening measure to help you determine whether you might have an obsessive-compulsive disorder that needs professional attention. This screening measure is not designed to make a diagnosis of a disorder or take the place of a professional diagnosis or consultation. For each item, indicate the extent to which it is true, by checking the appropriate box next to the item."
Psych Central
55 Pleasant St., Suite 207
Newburyport, MA 01950
Tel. 978.992.0008
talkback@psychcentral.com
http://psychcentral.com/ocdquiz.htm

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Pathophysiology, Emedicine.com:"The exact pathophysiologic process that underlies OCD has not been established. Research and treatment trials suggest that abnormalities in serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in the brain are meaningfully involved in this disorder. This is strongly supported by the efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) in the treatment of OCD.5, 6 Evidence also suggests abnormalities in dopaminergic transmission in at least some cases of OCD. In some cohorts, Tourette disorder (also known as Tourette syndrome) and multiple chronic tics genetically co-vary with OCD in an autosomal dominant pattern. OCD symptoms in this group of patients show a preferential response to a combination of serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and antipsychotics.7"
Emedicine.com Main Office
1004 Farnam Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Office: 402-341-3222 Fax: 402-341-3336C edit@eMedicine.com
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1654.htm

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Normal Worry or OCD? Kidshealth.org:"Of course, it's normal to worry now and then. Everyone does. Kids may worry about getting lost or that something will happen to their parents. They may sometimes feel afraid that they will get sick or hurt. It's normal for kids to worry once in awhile about burglars, fires, or earthquakes. Sometimes, worrying can help kids learn how to be safe and careful. Normal worries come and go without causing too much of a problem. But OCD is much more than normal worry. Instead, the worry is really intense and it can happen over and over again. With OCD, the brain replays the worry thoughts and if nothing is done, the worry feeling can get worse and worse."
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/ocd.html

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Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (OCF):"The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (OCF) is an international not-for-profit organization composed of people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, their families, friends, professionals and other concerned individuals. Founded by a group of individuals with OCD in 1986, the mission of the OCF is to educate the public and professional communities about OCD and related disorders; to provide assistance to individuals with OCD and related disorders, their family and friends; and to support research into the causes and effective treatments of OCD and related disorders."
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (OCF)
Office: Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
112 Water Street, Suite 501
Boston, MA 02119
Mailing Address: Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 961029
Boston, MA 02196
Voice: (617) 973-5801
Fax: (617) 973-5803
E-mail: info@ocfoundation.org
http://www.ocfoundation.org

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research:"Do you wipe off the doorknobs in your home each time someone touches them? Do you go to great lengths to avoid stepping on cracks in the sidewalk? Or do you feel compelled to wash your hands so often that they've become raw and chapped? Feeling driven to perform such rituals over and over may indicate that you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder, ritualistic behaviors may literally take over your life. You have distressing, unwanted thoughts or images that don't make sense to you. These thoughts or images keep coming back despite your efforts to ignore them. You may strive to hide OCD from friends and co-workers for fear of being labeled "crazy."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189

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McLean Hospital OCD Institute at McLean Hospital:"The Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital OCD Institute at McLean Hospital serves as a national and regional center dedicated to the advancement of clinical care, teaching and research of obsessive compulsive disorders. The program provides partial hospital and intensive residential levels of care for individuals age 16 and older who suffer from severe or treatment-resistant OCD. OCD occurs in two to five percent of the population, and is the fourth most common psychiatric diagnosis. The majority of OCD patients who have not experienced symptom relief may have not received adequate trials of appropriate and/or behavioral therapy."
McLean Hospital
115 Mill Street
Belmont, MA 02478
Telephone: (617) 855-2000
(800) 333-0338
E-mail: mcleaninfo@mclean.harvard.edu
http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/patient/adult/ocd.php

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? National Institute of Mental Health:"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety."
Mailing Address
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Science Writing, Press, and Dissemination Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone Numbers 301-443-4513 (local)
1-866-615-6464 (toll-free)
301-443-8431 (TTY)
1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free)
301-443-4279 (Fax)
E-mail Address nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml

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When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):"Is there help? There is help for people with OCD. The first step is to go to a physician or health clinic to talk about symptoms. People who think they have OCD may want to bring this booklet to the physician, to help them talk about the symptoms in it. The physician will do an exam to make sure that another physical problem isn’t causing the symptoms. The physician may make a referral to a mental health specialist. Physicians may prescribe medication to help relieve OCD. It’s important to know that some of these medicines may take a few weeks to start working. Only a physician (a family physician or psychiatrist) can prescribe medications. (In 2 states, psychologists with specific training and certification may prescribe medications for anxiety disorders.) The kinds of medicines used to treat OCD are listed below. Some of these medicines are used to treat other problems, such as depression, but also are helpful for OCD."
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Science Writing, Press, and Dissemination Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone Numbers 301-443-4513 (local)
1-866-615-6464 (toll-free)
301-443-8431 (TTY)
1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free)
301-443-4279 (Fax)
E-mail Address nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/complete-publication.shtml

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Going To College With OCD by Lori J. Kasmen, Psy.D., The Anxiety and Agoraphobia Treatment Center, Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc.:"You've made the decision to move away from home to go to college! Congrats!! As a teen with OCD, you will be faced with unique challenges and wonderful opportunities. College is the start of many new relationships,new friends, professors, roommates and, perhaps, a new therapist. If you're already in treatment, your current therapist can help you to make the transition to a new therapist. If you are not currently in treatment with a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD now is a great time to get the treatment. Experts agree it is most effective for OCD! You may want to consider the school's proximity to the CBT-trained providers when making your college selection. The OC Foundation is a great resource to help you locate a CBT-trained therapist. If there are not CBT trained therapists near your school, most schools have college counseling centers that provide free therapy. Counselors that are not trained in CBT for OCD, may be willing to learn. Many CBT-trained therapists are willing to consult with therapists wanting to learn to do CBT for OCD."
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 961029
Boston, MA 02196
Voice: (617) 973-5801
Fax: (617) 973-5803
E-mail: pperkins@ocfoundation.org
http://www.ocfoundation.org/organizedchaos/articles/Organized-Chaos-V006/Organized-Chaos-V006_02.php

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