As of yet, no researchers have been able to find one cause they can say without a doubt leads to people developing OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder often is used to describe odd behaviors, obsessions, and repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking to make sure the stove is off, etc. Research is ongoing, and at some point in the near future, hopefully a cause can be found, and more treatment options will become available. All scientists and medical professionals really have right is theories, which we will discuss in this article.

Many researchers believe that OCD is caused by a serotonin imbalance. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in the brain that helps control your mood, sleep, appetite, pain, and aggression. The theory is that people who suffer from OCD do not have enough serotonin in their brain to control all of these very vital functions.

One way that researchers have tried to find the cause of OCD is by reviewing medical record and MRI results of the brains of OCD sufferers. The results show many differences between the brains of OCD sufferers, and non-sufferers.

Some research shows possibilities that OCD may be caused by some types if autoimmune diseases, such as: Sydenham's chorea- a disease that occurs during childhood, that is more likely to strike females than males, usually during adolescence, rheumatic fever- an infection caused by the same bacteria that causes strep throat, and can affect the brain, heart, skin, and joints, and lupus- an autoimmune disorder that causes cells in the body to attack itself, often affecting the joints, kidneys, liver, and skin. There are only a few cases that have been proven to lead to OCD, but more research studies are being conducted.

For people that have OCD, it affects every area of their life. People who have OCD often have a hard time just taking care of their daily responsibilities. In some cases, they need help doing even the most simple tasks, such as putting their clothes on, driving themselves where they need to go, or eating their daily meals. Obsessive compulsive disorder can not only affect your own personal life, but can interfere with social relationships you develop. Embarrassment of the disorder, often results in a very low self esteem, which can easily lead to drug and alcohol abuse.

There are some proven treatments that can help sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder. Many insurance plans recognize the need for treatment; therefore cover most approved treatments for OCD sufferers. The first step with any anxiety disorder is to consult with your general practitioner. He will evaluate your symptoms, and decide if you are suffering from OCD, another anxiety disorder, or possibly an underlying medical condition that presents the same way. If tests point towards an anxiety disorder, such as OCD, your doctor will then most likely refer you to a mental health therapist. They will develop a treatment plan along with your input that will combine both behavioral therapies and possibly some prescription medications.

Choose a therapist that you feel you can get along with, and who you feel comfortable talking about your condition with. Having a good relationship and being able to talk to your therapist is a very crucial part of your treatment. Keep looking for a therapist until you find one that meets this criteria. If prescriptions medicines are included in your treatment, be certain to take them as prescribed, and not to stop taking them suddenly, as it may cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts. If you don't like the side effects caused by the medicine, let your doctor know, the solution may be something simple, like adjusting your dosage.

Keep an open relationship with your doctors, and let them know of any new or extremely bothersome symptoms right away, as they can be crucial to your treatment and overall recovery.

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