We've all double checked the stove to make sure it's
turned off or washed our hands extra thoroughly after touching
something gross. But what about the person who spends hours
a day re-checking the stove? Or the person who washes
his or her hands 50 times a day?
When extreme behaviours start interfering with a person's quality of
life, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder could be the reason.
OCD takes different forms. If the obsession is an overwhelming
fear of germs, then the compulsion might be excessive hand
washing or house cleaning.
An overwhelming fear of making a mistake could mean checking
things over and over again. Some people have no obsessive
thoughts, but feel driven to do a particular routine, such
as turning a door knob a certain number of times
before opening the door. There was a time when Grimsby resident Lynn Clark washed
her hands 50 times a day because of OCD.
Today, Clark takes medication for the disorder and is
enjoying life. She's also the founding member of the Hamilton
OCD Self Help Group, a support group for adults with
OCD as well as their families, friends and parents of
children with the disorder. Source.
