Attached Link: http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-an05.html

This is an image I created to symbolize - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or(OCD). OCD is an anxiety disorder where a person has recurrent and unwanted ideas or impulses (called obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession. The obsessive thoughts range from the idea of losing control, to themes surrounding religion or keeping things or parts of one's body clean all the time. Compulsions are behaviors that help reduce the anxiety surrounding the obsessions. Most people (90%) who have OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. The thoughts and behaviors a person with OCD has are senseless, repetitive, distressing, and sometimes harmful, but they are also difficult to overcome. OCD is more common than schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or panic disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Yet, it is still commonly overlooked by mental health professionals, mental health advocacy groups, and people who themselves have the problem. More info at the attached link. L8r! Joe

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Oh, yeah - like the lighting on this one, reaaally sweet. And of course the issue itself... one of the reasons it's overlooked by the sufferer is that it starts so easily, just a little habit, and takes over gradually so they don't realise just how much they're doing it.... (",)

This is great...though I am not aware of the Disorder :] This is great...though I am not aware of the Disorder :] This is great...though I am not aware of the Disorder :] This is great...though I am not aware of the Disorder :] This is great...though I am not aware of the Disorder :] This is great...though I am not aware of the Disorder :]

Tedz!! That's awful!! There are times you're a heartless bar steward....(",)

i think these compulsions are a little like addictions... they hold back true spiritual progress.... patterns of unwanted repetitive behaviour, having a seemingly crucial internal link (much on the idea of religious / God pleasing) and a tormenting feeling or anxiety only being relieved by the driven behaviour which itself is ultimately unsatisfying. i have heard of people being caught between two opposite viewpoints and being tormented by the contrariness the pair present... i.e. not good enough/holier than thou, drunk or sinner/saint, free/bound, perfectionist/spontaneous, rejection/rebellion or as you mentioned dirty/clean... the perceptual data received under anxiety seems slanted to support the reality of these views but often will not stand up under interrogation. One method used is to identify the authority of the compulsive views and to challenge its basis from the perspective of Biblical truth. More common in a humanist society.... it seems to gain strength by the denial of absolute life values i.e. the view that there are not absolutes of right & wrong and that we make our own reality becomes a torment if (a) there is no God to help and (b)God (believed to be the self) is unsure of what to do next. The link makes interesting reading. Hypnotherapy would definitely complicate the sufferers issues. My perspective, for what it's worth (a lot, I believe) is that the truth will set you free!... but not all truth is God's truth... Bible Study has helped a lot of people with this problem. Thanks for posting.

lol@tedz! :] shoots a rubber band at 'im excellent entry Joe, luv the idea & lighting!!

wonderful photo!! Like Mike said, the lighting is really sweet!! excellent entry, Joe!! OCD can completely take over people's lives. Their quality of life can be horrible because the disorder can overtake their life. i knew a girl once who had OCD. her thing was germs. yes, she washed her hands all the time, and they were red and peeling. but she also was terrified to eat. she couldn't eat fresh fruit because she couldn't clean them good enough. when she did eat, she HAD to eat off paper plates and used plastic silverware. I guess she didn't use pans to cook with. probably ate out of cans. she had an awful life. She was being treated with medications but it wasn't helping.

Excellent entry Joe..... as everyone has already said the lighting..... sweet.....

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AADD is right in there...working with a person who has this prob is not easy. Their obsession is getting right on to something and letting the current issue fall to the floor..in small part. Yes, many personal issues become social issues and like on this thread are not recognized in the mainstream.. I do feel for the person so entrapped. Some phobias do the same thing. Like a wife of a former coworker who fears catipillars(ok, you spell it!). He daughter fears barges.(strange but true). I wondered what would happen if they were crossing a bridge and in the river was a barge full of catipillars. Problem is...those probs can be helped but they would seek none...it was a "personal issue" and it is. Sadly, they likely still suffer from phobia with help available. Yikes! God Bless and Peace to All. TomD"Art.

what is AADD?

great photo to portray this disorder...has the right amount of "chaos/futility" in it!

That's not the way I see mine...But I'm not in competition...for challenge....have too much disorder...:-)

LOL@Brian!! Great shot here, wonderful lighting! I don't know anything about OCD but, as Tom mentioned it, phobias have the same effect! U just can't be at peace as long as u know that the object of ur fear might be around!! It's a real pain!! Excelelnt entry and fantastic shot! It makes me think of DNA for some reason! o_O