Question: I see very strong signs that my mother has obsessive compulsive disorder. She cannot rest unless everything in a room is in the exact place she wants. She rearranges things constantly until they are perfect in her eyes. Is there any medication/counseling that can help her?

Dr. Hibberd’s answer:

OCD has various degrees of expression in different people. OCD can be a serious and disabling mental health disorder. Professional attention is advised under the direct supervision of a psychiatrist. Most patients with OCD may have found ways to remain comfortable with their behavior needs, but they cannot easily control their obsessions or compulsions, and will be ill at ease until treated professionally.

Many normal people may demonstrate behavior patterns that may appear obsessive, or appear to have compulsions that are really just adaptations they have selected for personal reasons. This is where the difference is. OCD patients do NOT select their obsessions or compulsions, and these behaviors may severely disable them from living a comfortable and enjoyable life.

Some, however, are disabled by their behavior patterns, and receive great relief with professional consultation and psychiatric counseling, often with special classes of anti-depressant medications that selectively improve and moderate this behavior. I recommend you have your mother consult her primary care physician for an assessment of her needs, and if necessary they will assist you with appropriate psychiatric consultation.