Have you ever gotten out of bed to check something you think you did, but you check anyway just to make sure…..maybe it's to make sure that the door is locked or to turn off the kitchen light. We all do this from time to time. However, those who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder exhibit this type of behavior repeatedly, to the extent that it causes distress and makes daily life difficult. This disorder affects approximately 2.2 million American adults (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml). This article will explore the disorder and answer the following questions: 1. What is OCD? 2. What is the cause of the disorder? 3. How is this disorder diagnosed? 4. What is the most effective treatment for this disease? Additionally, we will look at some case studies to see the variety of behaviors that result from this disorder and how they have affected the lives of people with OCD. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted, repeated thoughts. , feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions) or behaviors that push them to do something (compulsions). Often the person engages in behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts, but this only provides temporary relief. Not performing obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety. (Psychology Today) A person with OCD would typically have thoughts, images, or urges that occur repeatedly and feel out of their control, do not want to have these ideas, find these thoughts disturbing, and are aware that they do not make sense. Additionally, a person with OCD would spend an unwarranted amount of time on these obsessions, interfering with other valued activities such as socializing, working, going to school... in the middle of a newspaper...... to Due to kidney failure, his beard and nails had both grown out of control (perhaps due to his aversion to touch), rendering him virtually unrecognizable. He was also malnourished and reportedly weighed only 90 pounds. Most recently, actor/comedian Howie Mandel opened up about his life with ADHD and OCD. He wrote a book called "Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me" in which he discusses his struggle with mysophobia, a form of OCD. Mysophobia, or fear of germs, refers to an unhealthy fear of contamination. People like Mandel, who speak out about their struggles, help those with psychiatric disorders by raising awareness and encouraging people to seek treatment. It's important for people to know that help is available and that it is possible, with treatment, to lead productive lives..