Anxiety affects close to 20 million Americans, and over 3 million people have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Both are medical illness that affect behavior, and are treatable conditions. Like other disorders involving the brain and the nervous system, symptoms can range from mild, brief symptoms to severe and chronic symptoms that can disrupt lives, careers, and relationships.

People with OCD and various types of anxiety experience irrational, excessive, and upsetting thoughts. There is a feeling of being out of control, and this reaction is difficult to cope with. In this section we share information from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Common anxieties include panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Research has helped identify the areas of the brain involved in these disorders.

Medications have historically been the most common therapy, but new studies show the benefit of cognitive behavioral therapy. Medications have been found to be more effective when cognitive behavioral therapy is used along with it. 

For a summary of the most promising natural treatments for anxiety and OCD, click here.

 

	Groundbreaking research by Dr. Vijendra Singh on the role of autoimmunity in neurologic disorders. Special focus on autism, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
	Written for patients with OCD, Tourette syndrome, and pediatric autoimmune neuropsyciatirc disorder associated with Group A streptococcal infection PANDAS (requires Adobe Acobat Reader).

Learn how nutritional therapy can help OCD