OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

MAYO CLINIC DEFINITION: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions). With obsessive-compulsive disorder, you may realize that your obsessions aren't reasonable, and you may try to ignore them or stop them. But that only increases your distress and anxiety. Ultimately, you feel driven to perform compulsive acts in an effort to ease your distress.

Up until a few years ago OCD was something I had heard about but hadn't really experienced. The last two weeks I spent with my sister in Hawaii. Her son Ben has OCD. Ben is 14 years old and in grade 8.

Ben is incredibly smart. He is a whiz at all things computer and game related. It's scary how much that boy knows. If you're not careful - he will snatch your computer and do amazing things with it that you never knew it could do.

Aside from his amazing brilliance - he battles everyday with not wanting to touch the door knob, jumping over sections in the house, using his knuckles on the computer keyboard (instead of his fingertips), and just plain avoiding touching things he decides are untouchable.

It's hard to understand and it's even harder I am sure to watch on a day to day basis. School is just about out and he can hardly wait. At the end of July he'll be starting a new school - Waimea Canyon - this could trigger some unwanted behaviors - we'll just have to wait and see.

If you think about it - pray for Ben - for the transition and coping mechanisms - for his parents who want the best for their son and as they battle OCD with him. Much patience, courage and consistency is needed for everyone to stay happy and healthy.

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