IntroductionObsessive compulsive disorder (the fourth most common psychiatric disorder), is an illness characterized by the presence of one or both criteria for having obsessive thoughts and repeating compulsive behaviors in order to repress the the anxiety that thoughts cause. Since it was first observed in the 17th century, major developments have occurred in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Furthermore, “obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with substantial direct and indirect costs, compounded by lack of recognition, underdiagnosis, and inappropriate treatment” (Stein, 2002). With continued research and development of new technological advances such as brain imaging, further significant progress towards its understanding and treatment effectiveness is expected. Discovery Before being seen as a legitimate mental health problem, OCD was originally thought to be a consequence of first-observed ungodly behavior. by Robert Burton already in the 17th century. Although the discovery of the disorder cannot be narrowed down beyond its main contributors, Sigmund Freud (who originally suggested psychoanalytic treatment) made major advances toward understanding the disease in the early 20th century. Symptoms The known symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder, as identified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, include those of both obsessions and compulsions; as such, they can be classified based on their prevalence. The common symptoms of obsessions (defined as: “uncontrollable and persistent thoughts, images or impulses that an individual feels invade his or her consciousness and that cause significant anxiety…… middle of paper……M ., & Coles, M.E. (2013) Failure and Delay in Seeking Treatment in Anxiety Disorders, Journal of Community Mental Health, 668-674. Murphy, T. R., Kurlan, R., & Leckman, J. (2010). Pediatric streptococcal disorders and related disorders: A Way Forward Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 317-331. Stein, D. J. (2002). Wettemeck, CT, Teng, EJ and Stanley, MA (2010) Treatment of OC spectrum conditions 144-146.Williams, NR and Okun, MS (2013). The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 4546-4556.