Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Um... 16, diagnosed at 6 or 7... High school Sophomore... Female... Infatuated with animals (I can probably tell you something about an animal you didn't know and name a dozen you've never heard of) I have 2 dogs (Labradors) and a crested gecko... Other animals at my house include a painted turtle, a red-eared slider turtle, a peachfaced lovebird, and a corn/red rat snake. I am also a triplet, we are all girls and we are nothing alike in any way, shape, or form. Niether of them has OCD, ADD, or TTM. I hope to find a bunch of new friends! You call me "Freak", I say, "THANK YOU FOR NOTICING!"

Animals, drawing, eating, hanging out, talking, homeostasis (I wish), games, nice people

Math, grapes, spicy food, homework, boredom, diseases, OCD (Duh), mean people, pessimists, fights, injustice, DVD players, Bowflexes (Long story, don't ask)

Various categories of "Metal", especially Metallica and Carrion (My brother's death metal band, which is broken up, but 2 members are forming a new band.)

I'm not much of a reader so this space will be my OCD factsheet I made for Health Class:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Fact Sheet
Julie., W1

DESCRIPTION
• Neurological dysfunction that alters one’s thought process
• It is estimated that 1-3% of the United States suffers from OCD
• The extent of OCD varies greatly from person to person.
CAUSES:
• The cause of OCD is not yet determined
• scientists think it is most likely a genetic mutation
• It runs in families
• It makes serotonin receptors in the brain not work correctly. Serotonin is a chemical the helps process thoughts
• This dwelling on thoughts causes stress, and as I stated earlier, can go to vast extremes

SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms of OCD include, but are not restricted to:
• Repetitive unpleasant thoughts (Thinking has hurt someone of themselves
• Imagining losing control
• Intrusive sexual thoughts or urges
• Religious or moral doubt
• Having to confess to everything “wrong”
• A need to have things a certain way
• Constant grooming, checking, touching, counting,
• Magnification of phobias
• Headaches
(Performing tasks does not make the person “happy”, but provides temporary relief.)

TREATMENTS/CURES:
There is no known cure for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Some common treatments are:
• Anti-depressants (Such as Zoloft and Paxil)
• Psychotherapy
• Brain surgery is a developing idea

PREVENTION:
OCD is not preventable. However, some scientists are trying to determine if there are triggers that cause OCD to develop.

LIVING WITH OCD:
I, Julie Macuga have OCD. I take Zoloft, and go to both a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist. I acquired my OCD from my dad, and he may have gotten it from his mother who had Depression. I get migraine headaches fairly frequently, and almost constantly worry about something or other. The severity of my OCD fluctuates, and sometimes I can get into a pretty deep rut. I often check to see if the oven/stove is turned off, and knives near the edges of counters or tables must be moved. One way you can help is by simply being supportive!*

*National Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week is May 6-12th!!!*

The Lion King, Braveheart, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, buncha stuff...

Drawing, photography, video games, walks, "Bead Buddies", hanging out, hair-pulling, taking things apart

Artists! + Photographers!	Trichotillomania