OCD Jacksonville focuses on local advocacy relating to obsessive-compulsive disorder and its related disorders, including hoarding, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, skin-picking, and Tourette syndrome.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Facts about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• OCD afflicts approximately one in fifty adults in the United States
• OCD is the fourth most common psychiatric diagnosis and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
• Approximately six million Americans are afflicted with this disorder
• OCD is equally common in males and females.
• Nearly 1/3 to 1/2 of all suffers will report that their OCD began in childhood. Some will even show signs in their preschool years. Cases of OCD have been reported in children as young as 1 1/2 years old.
• OCD will evolve throughout a person’s life. Symptoms can change, worsen, become milder, or even disappear. Regardless, OCD is chronic and often disabling.
• Typically OCD will worsen due to stress, illness, and disease.
• OCD is sometimes accompanied by depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders.
• Surveys estimate that most people with OCD hide their symptoms and less than 10% of those suffering are currently in treatment.
• Most people see an average of three to four health professionals and spend more than nine years seeking treatment for OCD before they are correctly diagnosed.

(Jenike, M.A. Clinical Practice: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. New England Journal of Medicine,35093:259-265)

Hoarding

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America defines hoarding as “the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.” It can include obsessively collecting items, compulsively buying or acquiring free items, or retaining items that most would discard.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is perhaps better known as “compulsive hair-pulling.” Those with trichotillomania repeatedly pull hair out from their scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, or pubic area. More information is available via the Trichotillomania Learning Center, StopPicking.com, and the IOCDF brochure on trichotillomania.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to a perceived appearance flaw or flaws that are minor or not observable by others. BDD symptoms can cause extreme mental and emotional suffering and impairment with daily functioning. People with BDD may seek out cosmetic surgery procedures to alleviate their symptoms but are rarely pleased with the results.

For more information, visit the OCD Foundation BDD
website:https://bdd.iocdf.org/

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a mental and nervous system disorder distinguished by the presence of multiple repetitive sudden movements and/or vocal outbursts, known as tics. Possible motor tics include eye-blinking, grimacing, head jerking, self-injurious behaviors, or hitting or touching others. Possible vocal tics include throat-clearing, coughing, emitting words or phrases, or even vocalizing socially unacceptable words.

For more information, visit the National Tourette Syndrome Association website.