Intellectual disability causes children with the condition to take longer than typical children to sit, crawl, walk, speak, and take care of their personal needs. They have trouble learning at the same rate as other kids in school. Impaired children experience considerable challenges in two primary areas: intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.

Adaptive behavior involves the use of everyday life skills. Researchers have discovered hundreds of causes of intellectual disabilities, but for about one-third of affected people, the cause remains a mystery.

What Are the Causes of Intellectual Disabilities?

Experts have pinpointed three major causes of intellectual disabilities. These causes include:

• Down syndrome
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
• Fragile X syndrome

Mental health professionals and doctors categorize these intellectual impairments and the causes of intellectual disabilities in these ways:

• Genetic conditions – intellectual disabilities caused by genetics come from abnormal genes. Parents may pass these abnormal genes on to children or errors could arise when genes combine in the womb that causes intellectual disabilities. Abnormal genes can occur from infections during pregnancy or from things like overexposure to radiation from X-rays. The intellectual disabilities associated with several genetic diseases, such as:
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU) – a genetic disorder caused by a missing or defective enzyme. Children with PKU cannot process a protein known as phenylalanine. Without proper care and treatment, phenylalanine builds up in the blood causing intellectual disability.
  • Down syndrome – a chromosomal disorder. These types of disorders occur randomly; too many or too few chromosomes cause these conditions. Sometimes a change in the structure of a chromosome can cause these disorders.
  • Fragile X syndrome – a gene disorder located on the X chromosome. Fragile X syndrome represents one of the leading causes of intellectual disability.
• Pregnancy issues – pregnant mothers who use alcohol or drugs during pregnancy put their developing babies at risk for intellectual disability. In fact, one of the best ways to decrease the risk of intellectual disabilities involves completely avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can also increase the risk that a baby will have an intellectual disability. Other risk factors during pregnancy include:
  • Malnutrition
  • Environmental toxins (i.e. mercury, lead)
  • Infections of the mother
    • Toxoplasmosis
    • Cytomegalovirus
    • Rubella
    • Syphillis
• Issues during birth – premature birth and low birth weight represent risk factors and often indicate more serious problems to come. Sometimes oxygen deprivation or other injuries occur during the birthing process and subsequently causes intellectual disabilities.
• Problems after birth – sometimes childhood diseases can damage the brain causing characteristics of intellectual disabilities. Further, injuries like a head injury or near drowning can cause a child to develop intellectual disability symptoms.
• Poverty and cultural factors – children who live in poverty have a much higher risk of exposure to environmental toxins, diseases and experiencing malnutrition. These things all increase the risk that a child may develop characteristics of intellectual disabilities. Also, those living in poverty may miss out on important cultural and educational experiences available to other kids.

Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities

The common characteristics of intellectual disabilities: difficulty learning and processing information; problems with abstract thought; and problems with social interactions occur at varying levels unique to each individual. (Learn about the differences between mild, moderate and severe intellectual disability) Intellectual impairment involves problems with mental abilities that affect day-to-day functioning in three areas:

• Conceptual – includes problems with skill in language, reading, writing, mathematics, reasoning, memory, knowledge retention
• Social - refers to issues with empathy, judgment, communication, making and keeping friends, and other social functions
• Practical – focuses on problems with self-care, such as personal hygiene, job duties, personal finance, organization

It's critical that parents who suspect their child may have an intellectual impairment seek counseling and help from qualified mental health and medical professionals.

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It's difficult to face the possibility that your child suffers from one of the many types of intellectual disability. No parent wants to see his or her child suffer. You may worry about what having an intellectual disability means for your child's future or if your child will succeed in school. Many parents worry that others will negatively label their children as slow or retarded.

It's important that you remember that most children with one of the types of learning disabilities are just as intelligent as other kids. It's just that they need to have teachers that consider their unique learning styles. By learning all you can about intellectual disabilities and your child's particular challenges, you can help him or her achieve success in school and beyond.

Types of Intellectual Disability

The types of intellectual disability are frequently grouped by school-area skill sets. For school-aged children, the most conspicuous types of cognitive impairments involve reading, writing, or mathematics. If your child isn't yet in school, you may notice delays in speech development or development of gross and fine motor skills (i.e. crawling, walking, running, using eating utensils). Don't forget that these learning disabilities look different from one child to another. (Intellectual Disability: Causes and Characteristics)

Intellectual disability in reading

Two types of intellectual disability occur in reading. One type manifests when your child has difficulty understanding relationships between letters, sounds, and words. The other shows up in problems with reading comprehension where your child has issues grasping the meaning of words, sentences, and paragraphs. Signs of intellectual disability in reading:

• problems in letter and word recognition
• problems understanding words and ideas
• slow reading speed and low fluency
• poor vocabulary skills

Intellectual disability in math

The types of intellectual disability in math vary widely depending on your child. For instance, your child's ability to succeed in math is affected by any co-occurring language disability, visual impairment, or problems with memory, organization, and sequencing. If your child struggles with memorizing and organizing numbers and math facts, he or she may have an intellectual disability in math. He or she may have great difficulty telling time and with abstract thought.

Intellectual disability in writing

This type of intellectual disability can involve either the physical activity of writing, the mental activity of comprehending and putting together information, or both. Children with this intellectual disability have problems forming letters, words, and written expression. Signs of intellectual disability in writing include:

• messy writing
• problems copying letters and words with accuracy
• problems with spelling
• issues with coherence and organization when writing

Intellectual disability with motor skills

Children with an intellectual disability that affects motor skills have problems with both gross and fine motor skills. They may seem uncoordinated for their age and have significant problems with movements that require hand to eye coordination.

Intellectual disability with language

This type of intellectual disability involves the ability to speak and to understand spoken words. Signs of this type of impairment include:

• problems retelling a story
• problems in speech fluency
• issues with understanding word meanings
• issues carrying out directions
• problems understanding parts of speech

Intellectual disabilities with auditory and visual processing

Some children have auditory or visual processing problems, causing learning to suffer. This intellectual disability manifests by causing the person to have difficulty in processing the things they hear and see. They may lack the ability to tell the difference between certain sounds. Others can't distinguish the difference between certain shapes and images. Depending on the severity of impairment, this can profoundly affect learning.

Children with mild impairment may simply have slight challenges in one or two areas. Those with severe to profound impairment in many or all areas may need constant supervision and highly specialized educational services.

Other disorders that may occur along with intellectual disabilities include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Both of these disorders make can make learning and day-to-day life difficult, especially if compounded with intellectual disabilities.

It's important to understand that these learning disabilities occur at various levels and your child's needs depend on the severity of impairment.

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Experts divide the types of cognitive impairment into four categories: mild intellectual disability, moderate intellectual disability, severe intellectual disability, and profound intellectual disability. The degree of impairment from an intellectual disability varies widely. DSM-V places less emphasis on the degree of impairment (i.e. IQ scores) and more on the amount and type of intervention needed.

While IQ scores are still relevant and important in assessing the level of intellectual disability, the new DSM-V adds another layer of diagnostic criteria (Intellectual Disability: Causes and Characteristics). Mental health professionals must consider the person's ability or impairment across three skill areas: conceptual, social, and practical life skill.

The category details are as follows:

Mild intellectual disability

• IQ 50 to 70
• Slower than typical in all developmental areas
• No unusual physical characteristics
• Able to learn practical life skills
• Attains reading and math skills up to grade levels 3 to 6
• Able to blend in socially
• Functions in daily life

About 85 percent of people with intellectual disabilities fall into the mild category and many even achieve academic success. A person who can read, but has difficulty comprehending what he or she reads represents one example of someone with mild intellectual disability.

Moderate intellectual disability

• IQ 35 to 49
• Noticeable developmental delays (i.e. speech, motor skills)
• May have physical signs of impairment (i.e. thick tongue)
• Can communicate in basic, simple ways
• Able to learn basic health and safety skills
• Can complete self-care activities
• Can travel alone to nearby, familiar places

People with moderate intellectual disability have fair communication skills, but cannot typically communicate on complex levels. They may have difficulty in social situations and problems with social cues and judgment. These people can care for themselves, but might need more instruction and support than the typical person. Many can live in independent situations, but some still need the support of a group home. About 10 percent of those with intellectual disabilities fall into the moderate category.

Severe intellectual disability

• IQ 20 to 34
• Considerable delays in development
• Understands speech, but little ability to communicate
• Able to learn daily routines
• May learn very simple self-care
• Needs direct supervision in social situations

Only about 3 or 4 percent of those diagnosed with intellectual disability fall into the severe category. These people can only communicate on the most basic levels. They cannot perform all self-care activities independently and need daily supervision and support. Most people in this category cannot successfully live an independent life and will need to live in a group home setting.

Profound intellectual disability

• IQ less than 20
• Significant developmental delays in all areas
• Obvious physical and congenital abnormalities
• Requires close supervision
• Requires attendant to help in self-care activities
• May respond to physical and social activities
• Not capable of independent living

People with profound intellectual disability require round-the-clock support and care. They depend on others for all aspects of day-to-day life and have extremely limited communication ability. Frequently, people in this category have other physical limitations as well. About 1 to 2 percent of people with intellectual disabilities fall into this category.

According to the new DSM-V, though, someone with severe social impairment (so severe they would fall into the moderate category, for example) may be placed in the mild category because they have an IQ of 80 or 85. So the changes in the DSM-V require mental health professionals to assess the level of impairment by weighing the IQ score against the person's ability to perform day-to-day life skills and activities. (Read about the types of intellectual disabilities.)

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Intellectual disabilities in children cause learning difficulties, social problems, motor skill impairment, and adversely affect ability to perform successfully in daily life. This negatively impacts a child's ability to learn in a typical educational setting. Maybe your child seems to have some learning problems in school and you're worried? Educate yourself about intellectual disabilities, so you understand more about it. That way, if a mental health professional does diagnose your child with a specific learning disorder, you can help support your child so he or she gets the necessary care. (Learn about the types of intellectual disability.)

Learning Disabilities in Children

Researchers and experts understand more about learning disabilities in children than ever before, but there's still much more to uncover about these disorders. Unless your child has an obvious disability from birth, you may not suspect a problem until he or she starts school. If you and the teacher notice that your child isn't learning at the rate expected, you might consider having your child evaluated to see what's causing the problems (Read: Intellectual Disability: Causes and Characteristics). With proper help and support, your child can learn and succeed in an educational setting that's just right for his individual needs.

Signs of Intellectual Disabilities in Children

A doctor or mental health professional looks for certain signs of intellectual disabilities in children when assessing a patient. You can help too by keeping a log of clues that you notice. Read through this list of possible signs, but keep in mind that your child most likely won't display all of these. However, if you see a number of these problems in your child, you should consider the possibility that he or she has an intellectual impairment.

Possible signs of learning disabilities in children:

• Difficulty understanding and following simple instructions
• Trouble with remembering what someone just said
• Fails to comprehend what he reads
• Delayed speech development
• Struggles to express ideas in writing
• Transposes math symbols and numbers
• Difficulty understanding age-appropriate jokes and sarcasm
• Very messy handwriting
• Significant difficulty in spelling
• Difficulty grasping social conventions
• Lacks coordination in walking and sports
• Difficulty cutting out shapes in paper or holding a pencil
• Frequently loses or misplaces personal items
• Trouble comprehending conceptual time (i.e. yesterday, today, tomorrow)

Students with intellectual disabilities may have trouble with only a couple of these listed items, or they may show problems with several of them. If you see one or more of these signs in your child, you may want to investigate further by having a professional assess your child for an intellectual disability. (More info on differences between mild, moderate, severe intellectual disability.)

Diagnosing Learning Disabilities in Children

Make an appointment with a medical or mental health professional that has experience in diagnosing learning disabilities in children. He or she will assess your child by administering an IQ test as well as ask you (and possibly your child, if old enough) detailed questions about the child's behavior. He or she may also ask your permission to interview the child's teachers and other care providers to lend broader insight into any possible impairment.

The doctor will take your child's academic performance relative to his age into account as well as the child's social and other interpersonal skills into account. He or she will assess the level of intervention and support your child needs to succeed in school and later on in life.

Levels of Support for Children With Intellectual Disabilities

There are several levels of support for children with intellectual disabilities. The mental health professional will assess the severity of disability based on the level of support the child needs to succeed and function in daily life:

Intermittent support – people with mild intellectual disability typically do not need regular, scheduled assistance. They do need intermittent support for certain situations and when they become exposed to new environments and challenges.

Limited support – people with moderate intellectual disability need assistance and training so they can increase their functioning in social situations and in self-care. Some people in this category may need assistance to cope with everyday situations, though.

Extensive support – people who need extensive support typically have severe intellectual disability. They have very limited communication ability and can only perform some of the necessary daily self-care duties. They usually need daily support and assistance.

Pervasive support – people with profound intellectual disability need this level of support, which entails 24-hour supervision and assistance. Those with profound intellectual disability require constant supervision to ensure their health and safety.

Most children with intellectual disabilities will only need intermittent support because 85 percent of people diagnosed with a cognitive impairment fall into the mild category. But, it's up to your child's doctor to decide the level of intervention and support that will work to the best benefit of your child. Once your child receives a diagnosis, learn all you can about your child's specific impairment and disability, so you can help pave the way to success and happiness for him or her.

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Substance or medication-induced OCD occurs as a direct result of using drugs, such as prescribed medications, illicit substances, alcohol, or exposure to certain toxins. Medications or substances may induce obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and behaviors while under their influence or upon withdrawal from their use.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) refers to a mental illness that causes an individual to have persistent, intrusive thoughts, or obsessions. These obsessions often drive the individual to act out certain behaviors, or compulsions, in order to reduce the severe anxiety caused by the obsessions. Certain medications and substances can cause OCD and related disorders.

The new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), includes a new category for Substance or Medication Induced OCD and Related Disorders in the chapter on obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Causes of Substance, Medication Induced OCD and Related Disorders

Repetitive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors associated with OCD and other related disorders can result from exposure to a variety of medications and substances including:

• Amphetamines (prescription) – often prescribed for ADHD or purchased and used illegally
• Antispsychotics (olanzapine) prescribed for schizophrenia
• Hypnotics (prescription), but sometimes used illicitly for recreation
• Sympathomimetics (i.e. epinephrine or norepinephrine) and other bronchodilators
• Anticholinergics
• Anticonvulsants (used for management of epilepsy)
• Thyroid medications
• Lithium (lithium carbonate) - used to treat a variety of mental illnesses
• Cannabis (marijuana)
• Cocaine, including crack and crystal methamphetamine
• Hallucinogens (i.e. LSD, mescaline, psilocybin mushrooms)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Toxins – volatile and toxic substances, such as fuel, paint, nerve gases, carbon monoxide, lead, mercury, organophosphate insecticides

Symptoms of Substance or Medication Induced OCD and Related Disorders

The symptoms of substance or medication-induced OCD are similar to those of pure OCD. According to the DSM-V, a diagnosis is given only when OCD symptoms reach levels beyond what is expected during drug use or toxin exposure and withdrawal. The symptoms and criteria considered when making a diagnosis for substance or medication-induced OCD include:

• Severe, intrusive obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors (i.e. obsessive checking, hand washing, skin picking, hair pulling, repetitive rituals)
• Symptoms begin within one month of drug or medication use, or upon withdrawal from a substance or medication known to cause OCD anxiety symptoms
• Symptoms are not due to a pre-existing OCD or related disorder that occurred prior to substance exposure
• Effects of OCD symptoms cause significant anxiety and distress, impairing functioning in everyday life

Medication or substance-induced OCD is most commonly associated with people who abuse alcohol or drugs but can occur in anyone.

Physicians must find that no other medical condition is causing the symptoms. Further, the diagnosing medical professional must distinguish the symptoms from those of delirium, dementia, psychotic disorders, or typical substance withdrawal. The physician or mental health professional will conduct a complete physical examination and order appropriate laboratory tests, such as a complete blood count, chemistry panels, and blood and urine screens for drugs and toxins.

Treatment and Prognosis for Substance-Induced OCD and Related Disorders

The underlying substance or medication causing the OCD or related disorder determines the treatment strategy. Treatment may include stopping prescription medications determined to cause the OCD and replacement with a different drug. The doctor may also prescribe antidepressants commonly used in treating OCD and its related disorders.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms caused by medications, substance abuse, or toxin exposure typically subside or disappear completely once the responsible substance is identified and eliminated. Symptoms can continue until all of the substance or toxin leaves the individual's body. Depending on how long it takes the body to metabolize the substance, symptoms can continue for days or weeks after the person discontinues using it. Occasionally, OCD symptoms and behaviors brought on by exposure to medications and substances do not disappear. In this case, OCD treatment would include a combination of typical antidepressant drug therapy and behavioral therapy.

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder statistics rank the condition in 10th place among all diseases, both physical and mental, that cause disability. This was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009. According to the latest OCD statistics, experts estimate that 1 to 3 percent of the U.S. population suffers from OCD and 1 in every 200 children has the disorder. Read on for additional OCD facts and statistics.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Statistics

Obsessive-compulsive disorder statistics on children and teens:

• A March 1998 study published by NIMH shows boys more likely to develop OCD prior to puberty than girls
• Boys show tic symptoms more frequently than girls
• Parents frequently enable children in their compulsions in an attempt to help them
• Comorbid disorders in children with OCD include ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression
• Childhood-onset OCD (before puberty) is more common in boys than girls
• Doctors have reported OCD symptoms in children under two years old, but age of onset is usually age 6 to 15 for boys and 13 or older for girls
• 60 to 70 percent of OCD children improve significantly with therapy
• Therapy alone or therapy with medication represents the most effective treatment for OCD in children, as opposed to medication alone

General Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Facts

The OCD facts below shed light on different aspects of this troubling mental health disorder. Knowing the facts about obsessive compulsive-disorder, however, helps you understand the condition and how it's best treated.

• About one-third to one-half of all OCD sufferers had OCD in childhood, whether it was recognized or not
• Many people still hide their OCD behaviors from others. Experts estimate that less than 10 percent of those with OCD currently receive treatment
• OCD occurs with equal frequency across genders and ethnic groups
• Those with first degree relatives with OCD are five times more likely to develop the disorder
• 40 to 60 percent of OCD patients respond well to medication with SSRI drugs
• Those who respond well to SSRI medications see a 40 to 50 percent reduction in OCD symptoms
• OCD patients with secondary depression may need a higher dose of SSRI antidepressant medication to treat both disorders at once

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and teens has become more common in recent years. About one in every 200 American children suffers from OCD (What is OCD?). All children have worries and negative thoughts at times. But children with OCD can't stop their disturbing thoughts, images, and urges, no matter what they try. These obsessive thoughts tend to drive them to behave in a particular way, repetitively.

Parents and caregivers must understand the unique impact OCD has on children, so that they can help them get effective treatment. Although signs and symptoms of OCD in children and adults share many similarities, important differences do exist. Also, the signs of OCD in children can look similar to those of ADHD, autism, and Tourette's syndrome. A complete medical and psychological evaluation can help the physician make an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of OCD in Children

The symptoms of OCD in children involve repetitive thoughts or images called obsessions. Compulsions represent the ritual behaviors that they repeat again and again to banish the thoughts. (Read about obsessions and compulsions)

Examples of obsessive thoughts in OCD kids may include:

• Excessive preoccupation with germs, dirt, illness
• Expresses repeated doubts, such as whether the stove is turned off
• Intrusive thoughts about a parent getting hurt
• Excessive preoccupation with symmetry, order, and exactness
• Disturbing thoughts that do not align with personal religious training
• Excessive drive to know or remember facts that seem very trivial
• Unreasonable attention to detail
• Excessive worry about something bad happening like a car accident or home intruder breaking in
• Aggressive thoughts and urges (may be more likely in teens)

Examples of compulsive behaviors in OCD kids may include:

• Washing hands excessively, frequently over 100 times a day
• Repeated checking and rechecking to ensure stove is turned off or door is locked
• Rigidly follows self-imposed rules of order like arranging personal items in room in a particular way and becoming very upset if someone disrupts the arrangement
• Excessive counting and recounting
• Preoccupation with sequencing or grouping objects
• Repeatedly and excessively asking the same questions
• Repeating words spoken by self or others
• Repeating sounds, words, numbers, or music to him- or herself

OCD in Children – Causes

Experts don't fully understand what causes the development of OCD in children or in adults. Studies point to the involvement of a combination of biological and environmental factors.

Biological factors – research shows a link between insufficient levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the development of OCD in children. Some evidence exists that indicates parents can pass serotonin inefficiencies to their children. Because of this scientists also suspect a genetic component in OCD development.

Environmental factors – Certain environmental situations and stressors can trigger OCD in children already at risk for the disorder. Environmental situations that can cause symptoms to appear or worsen include:

• Physical or emotional abuse
• Drastic changes in living environment
• Illness (such as streptococcus infections)
• Death of a loved one
• Parental divorce
• School-related changes or issues
• Other traumatic events and experiences

Since there's no laboratory test for OCD in children, doctors base their diagnoses on the comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, after ruling out other physical causes for OCD symptoms.

Treatment for OCD in Children

Individualized treatment for OCD in children will depend upon the physician's assessment of the following:

• Physical exam – age, health, maturity level, medical status
• Severity of symptoms
• The presence or absence of concurrent disorders
• Tolerance level for certain medications
• Tolerance for certain therapy strategies
• Expectations for future course of the disorder

OCD in children can be effectively treated, especially if caught early on. Doctors typically use a combination of therapy and medication. OCD therapy strategy usually involves a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) represent the most effective class of medications for treatment of OCD in children and in adults.

The physician or mental health professional may also recommend family therapy because parents play a critical role in their child's treatment and recovery. A considerable number of children with OCD also have a comorbid disorder, which also requires treatment.

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OCD and anxiety, OCD and depression, and OCD and ADHD often run together. Did you know people with obsessive-compulsive disorder run a high risk of having comorbid (simultaneous) illnesses, such as OCD and anxiety? Doctors typically check for comorbid disorders in OCD patients. It's critical that they identify each problem to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

OCD and Anxiety

In the DSM-IV, OCD and Anxiety appeared together in the chapter on anxiety disorders. The manual treated OCD as a sub-type of anxiety disorder. The recently updated DSM, Fifth Edition, treats obsessive compulsive disorder as a condition separate from anxiety, giving it a chapter of its own.

OCD and anxiety have similar manifestations, so it presents a challenge for physicians when attempting to diagnose a patient that has both disorders at once.

People with anxiety experience excessive worry, dread, and distress that occurs both with or without the presence of psychological stress. People with an anxiety disorder may exhibit restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and problems with concentration. They may sweat, feel faint, hyperventilate due to the unreasonable worry they experience over a small issue or upcoming event.

OCD symptoms include severe anxiety brought on by the repetitive obsessive thoughts. The obsessive thoughts, images, or urges drive the person with OCD to perform nonsense rituals and compulsive behaviors to alleviate the anxiety (Read about OCD obsessions and compulsions). Those with an anxiety disorder have no urge toward compulsive behaviors or repetitive thoughts that will not go away.

About 25 percent of those with OCD also have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or some other anxiety disorder. The comorbid anxiety disorder may occur due to worry and dread over the onslaught of obsessive thoughts and compulsions that the person knows are imminent.

OCD and Depression

OCD and depression have a clear link in that many people diagnosed with OCD also have depression. Major depressive disorder involves a chronic sad and depressed mood, a loss of interest in favorite activities, for at least two weeks. People with depression also have the following symptoms during that period:

• Over or under eating
• Sleep too much or have insomnia
• Act overly fidgety or feel very sluggish
• Trouble focusing
• Thoughts of suicide or death
• Feel worthless
• Have excessive, unfounded guilt

Over 60 percent of people with OCD have one major depressive episode at some point in their lives. Typically, the depression occurs after OCD symptoms have begun. This indicates that the depression may occur as a result of the continual distress caused by the OCD symptoms. Research also indicates that the link between OCD and depression could also result from similar biological, psychological and environmental triggers for both conditions.

OCD and ADHD

OCD and ADHD appear similar at first glance. Both can cause symptoms of impaired attention span, memory issues, and impulse control. It's important for the physician to determine whether the patient has OCD or ADHD, or both. The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD do not work for OCD and commonly exacerbate OCD symptoms. Likewise, the SSRI antidepressant medications commonly prescribed to help control OCD do nothing for ADHD.

Doctors recommend treating the OCD first in persons with both conditions. Once the person has OCD symptoms and behaviors under control, he or she may then get relief from ADHD symptoms through stimulant medications.

ADHD, anxiety, and depression represent only the three most common disorders that can occur simultaneously with OCD. When picking a health care professional to evaluate symptoms of possible mental disorders, it's critical to choose one with understanding and experience in treating simultaneously occurring disorders.

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Do I have OCD? Perhaps you've asked yourself this question, but don't know what OCD really looks like. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have repetitive and persistent thoughts, images, or urges that cause intense anxiety and distress. They feel driven to perform either physical or mental acts to reduce anxiety. If they don't carry out the compulsive behaviors, perfectly, they believe that something bad will happen. It's easier to understand if you read examples of what goes through the mind of someone with OCD. (Read more about OCD obsessions and compulsions and how they can make life difficult.)

People With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Take some time to read through a few real-life experiences by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This may help you determine whether you might actually have OCD and need to seek professional help. Here's a list of blogs and other links that contain OCD stories and experiences:

I have OCD (and I moved to Lake Tahoe) – This post appears on the Web site entitled, Happy Herbivore, owned by Lindsay S. Nixon. In the post she talks about how her OCD manifests itself through work. She talks about how she knew that she obsessed over her work and that it significantly affected her life, but never dreamed she had OCD.

OCD is Not Who I Am – This post that looks at OCD from a religious perspective. The author feels religion provides additional strength for recovery.

I Have OCD; Now You Can Try It Too – This article in Psychology Today by Fletcher Wortman, Ph.D., takes readers on an interactive journey into the mind of an obsessive-compulsive.

OCD Celebrities – Stars Are Like Everyone Else

A number of OCD celebrities have come forward and publicly admitted to having obsessive-compulsive disorder. When stars come out and admit that they suffer from mental illness and talk about the effects of OCD, it can help reduce stigma and encourage others to get the help they need. The list of courageous celebrities with OCD, that have come public, includes:

Lena Dunham – star of HBO's sitcom "Girls"

Howie Mandel - comedian and tv game show host

Charlize Theron – award winning Hollywood movie star and new mom

Julianne Moore – Hollywood actress

Megan Fox – model and actress who starred in the first two Transformer movies

Jessica Alba – star of the Fantastic Four and many other Hollywood feature movies

Cameron Diaz – star of Bad Teacher and Shrek movies

Justin Timberlake – quoted by Web site Collider.com as admitting to having OCD

Howard Stern – shock jock radio show host

Leonardo DiCaprio – star of blockbuster movie Titanic

David Beckham – soccer star

Billy Bob Thornton – eccentric actor turned musician

Other Famous People with OCD:

Howard Hughes – billionaire aviator, industrialist, engineer, film producer, and director. (b. December 24, 1905, d. April 5, 196)

Donald Trump – entrepreneur, American business executive, television and radio personality and author

Nikola Tesla – inventor, physicist, a mechanical and electrical engineer. Known as "man who invented the 20th Century". (b. July 10, 1856, d. January 7, 1943)

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An obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis can only come from a qualified mental health professional. To receive an OCD diagnosis, you must meet certain diagnostic criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). If you receive an OCD diagnosis, it means that you have a chronic mental illness that will require lifelong management. There are effective ways to treat and manage OCD and many people with the disorder live productive, happy lives.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Diagnosis

The newly updated DSM-5 (OCD in DSM-5) acts as a manual for mental health professionals in giving an obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis. Unlike physical diseases and illnesses, doctors don't have specific laboratory tests available to diagnose mental illness, such as OCD.

First, he or she will probably run a series of medical tests that include psychological and physical exams as well as laboratory tests. During the physical examination, the doctor will likely check:

• Height and weight
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Body temperature
• Heart and lung sounds
• Abdominal area

She may order some laboratory tests like a blood draw. The blood test will check your complete blood count (CBC) and look for things like alcohol or drugs in your blood. Frequently, the physician will check for thyroid problems by blood test as well. (Read: OCD and Related Disorder Due to Medical Condition)

They perform the physical exam and laboratory tests to rule out things, such as alcohol, drugs, thyroid gland issues, and other health problems. These things could cause symptoms that temporarily mimic OCD. (Read: Substance, Medication Induced OCD and Related Disorder)

Your mental health provider will conduct a psychological evaluation to see if you might meet the criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder. During the evaluation, the doctor will ask you about a number of things, including:

• Your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Your symptoms
• When symptoms began
• Severity of symptoms (from your point of view)
• How they affect your daily life
• Similar past episodes
• If you've had thoughts of suicide, harming yourself, or others

The doctor may also want to talk to your family or close friends and also find out your family mental health history and whether other family members have OCD or any other mental illness.

Specific Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Criteria

The physician or mental health professional will determine whether you meet the specific obsessive-compulsive disorder criteria listed in the DSM-5, during the psychological evaluation portion of your visit. Your symptoms must meet both the general and specific characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To receive an OCD diagnosis, you must meet these general criteria:

• You must have obsessions and compulsions
• The obsessions and compulsions must significantly impact your daily life
• You may or may not realize that your obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable

Your obsessions must meet specific criteria:

• Intrusive, repetitive and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress
• The thoughts do not just excessively focus on real problems in your life
• You unsuccessfully try to suppress or ignore the disturbing thoughts, urges, or images
• You may or may not know that your mind simply generates these thoughts and that they do not pose a true threat

Your compulsions must meet specific criteria:

• Excessive and repetitive ritualistic behavior that you feel you must perform, or something bad will happen. Examples include hand washing, counting, silent mental rituals, checking door locks, etc.
• The ritualistic compulsions take up a least one hour or more per day
• You perform these physical rituals or mental acts to reduce the severe anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts.

Challenges in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Diagnosis

Doctors face some challenges in making an obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis. The symptoms can appear similar to those associated with anxiety disorder, clinical depression, schizophrenia, and a number of other mental illnesses. Some drugs or other medical conditions can also mimic the symptoms of OCD. It's important that your physician carefully evaluate the results of the tests, exams and psychological evaluation to determine whether you have OCD or another condition.

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