Final answer:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects individuals by causing persistent obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. While the exact causes of OCD are complex and not fully understood, it involves a combination of neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is OCD Like for a Person?
For someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), daily life can be significantly impaired by persistent, intrusive thoughts known as obsessions, and by the repetitive behaviors or mental acts known as compulsions that they feel driven to perform in response to those obsessions. These compulsions are often performed with the aim of reducing distress related to the obsessions or preventing some feared event or situation; however, these actions are usually not realistically connected with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or are clearly excessive. People with OCD often experience significant anxiety, and their routines can be greatly disrupted by the need to carry out compulsive behaviors.
Causes of OCD
The exact causes of OCD are yet to be fully understood, but there is evidence to suggest that it has a neurobiological basis. Studies, such as those by Saxena et al. (2001), have highlighted brain-behavior relationships, indicating that certain areas of the brain function differently in people with OCD. Additionally, genetic factors appear to play a role. Family studies, like that of Nestadt et al. (2000), have found that OCD tends to run in families, suggesting an inherited component. Environmental factors, life events, and learning experiences can also contribute to the onset of OCD.