Book excerpt: OCD sufferers have difficulty concentrating, and often their compulsions--needless checking, excessive worrying, and even repetitive actions like rewashing--make it difficult for them to lead their everyday lives. Misdiagnosed or untreated OCD can become chronic and more severe. It is also hereditary, so parents who have OCD may pass symptoms on to their children. Written by an OCD sufferer with a technical review by a licensed psychologist, this practical guide covers: * Diagnosis and the identification of symptoms * The types of OCD * Current treatment options * Some coping strategies * Support groups * Useful resources like an OCD self-test With The Everything® Health Guide to OCD, people who suffer from the disorder can rest easy, knowing they have the knowledge and medical information to help them recognize and cope with the symptoms and decide upon treatment. AUTHOR: Chelsea Lowe (New England) is a professional writer who has been living with OCD for 7 years (she was diagnosed at the age of 37). She has written about the disorder for the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York Daily News, and TV Guide. Her other publication credits include Newsweek, National Public Radio, Newsday, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, Technology Review, and the Boston Herald. Judith A. Lytel, Psy.D. (Amherst, MA), is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice for more than 12 years, treating patients with anxiety disorders such as OCD. She was a Clinical Instructor and Preceptor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts University School of Medicine. A graduate of Penn State, Johns Hopkins, and the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Lytel completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Behavioral Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Hospital.