OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, 1 , fear or worry,
repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety (compulsions), or a combination of such 2
and compulsions. Symptoms of the disorder include excessive washing or cleaning, repeated checking,
extreme hoarding, 3 with sexual, violent or religious thoughts, aversion to particular numbers and
nervous rituals such as opening and closing a door a certain number of times before entering or leaving a room. These
symptoms are time-consuming, might result in loss of relationships with others, and often cause severe emotional and
financial distress. The acts of those who have OCD may appear 4 and potentially psychotic. However, people with
OCD generally recognize their symptoms as 5 and may become further distressed by this realization. Despite the
behaviour, OCD is associated with above-average intelligence.
A number of psychological and biological factors may be involved in causing OCD. Standardized rating scales can
be used to 6 the severity of symptoms. Other disorders with similar symptoms include: OCPD, an autism
spectrum disorder, or disorders where perseveration (hyperfocus) is a feature in ADHD, PTSD, bodily disorders, or
just a habit problem.
Treatment for OCD involves the use of 7 therapy and sometimes selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs). The type of therapy used involves increasing exposure to what causes the problems while not
allowing the compulsive behavior to occur. Atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine may be useful when used in
addition to an SSRI in treatment-resistant cases but are 8 with an increased risk of side effects.
OCD affects children and adolescents, as well as adults. Roughly one third to one half of adults with OCD report a
childhood onset of the disorder, suggesting the continuum of anxiety disorders across the 9 . The
phrase obsessive–compulsive has become part of the English lexicon, and is often used in an informal or caricatured
manner to describe someone who is excessively 10 , perfectionistic, absorbed, or otherwise fixated.
(AB). paranoid (AC). behavioral (AD). meticulous (AE). apprehension (BC). assess
(BD). obsessions (BE). associated (CD). lifespan (CE). preoccupation (DE). irrational 【題組】2