Why would a person clean their hands with hot water and the rough side of a sponge until their hands become raw, cracked, and bleed to feel clean? This same person can check that kitchen knives are locked 50 times a day to make sure their child doesn't get stabbed with one. This situation is very common in people suffering from severe obsessive compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes people to have unwanted fixations and repeat certain activities over and over again. Everyone has habits or certain ways of doing something with OCD, these habits severely disrupt the way they live their life (Familydoctor.org editorial staff). About one in 40 people suffer from some form of obsessive compulsive disorder (ABRAMOWITZ). OCD often manifests with significant stress or trauma. Many people suffer for years because they are not diagnosed correctly. While there are shows that show how serious OCD can be, most cases are moderate. OCD can be caused by several factors. Some experts say people who suffer from OCD have irregular brain chemistry that includes how serotonin works. “Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps nerve cells communicate” (NAMI). However this is not the case for everyone who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (ABRAMOWITZ). Scientists also observed that OCD patients have a faster metabolism in the basal ganglia and frontal lobes of the brain (NAMI). This partly explains why those who suffer from OCD have repetitive and subtle thoughts... middle of paper... history of OCD. Works Cited Abramowitz, Ph.D., Jon. "OCD 101 (Demystifying this complex problem) | Psychology today." Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness Find a therapist. All Things OCD, November 1, 2010. Web. June 3, 2011. .Familydoctor.org Editorial Staff. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: What It Is and How to Treat It – Familydoctor.org.” Health information for the whole family – Familydoctor.org. American Academy of Family Physicians. Network. 03 June 2011. "NAMI | Due to illness." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness - Mental Health Support, Education and Advocacy. Nami. Network. 03 June 2011. .