Everyone has felt emotions such as anxiety, fear, and worry; they are part of everyday life. These reactions are normal and healthy; they usually don't come around too often and when they do, they don't last very long. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1998) estimates that approximately 3.2 million Americans suffer from a psychological anxiety disorder called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those who suffer from this condition frequently have upsetting and unreasonable thoughts, worries, or fears. The Harvard Mental Health Letter (1998) notes that: “The most common obsessive theme is cleanliness (dirt and germs), followed by aggression and sex, safety, and order or symmetry. Obsessions can take the form of doubts (has something happened to my child?); fears (something could happen to the child); images (I see the child drowning); or impulses (I'm afraid of harming the child)” (para. 13). In an attempt to control these obsessive themes, they perform one or more ritual behaviors or mental acts called compulsions. Unfortunately, these behaviors only relieve intrusive thoughts and feelings for a short time, before returning and ultimately locking people with this condition into a pattern of repetitive obsessions and mindless compulsions. The symptoms of OCD are numerous and include: repeated touching, checking, or counting; avoidance or respect of certain figures; excessive washing or cleaning; and hoarding. Karno (1998) found that "at some point in their lives, often in their late teens or twenties, 2 to 3 percent of people cross the line between normal concerns and agitation and disorder." debilitating” (quoted in Myers, 2011, p.463-464). Many people... middle of paper... their thoughts to the point where they can tolerate behavioral therapy and live a more or less normal life” (Kato, 1992). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a difficult disorder. condition to be overcome. “A 40-year follow-up study of 144 Swedes diagnosed with the disorder found that, for most, obsessions and compulsions gradually decreased, although only 1 in 5 people made a full recovery (Skoog & Skoog, 1999)” (quoted in Myers). It can take months or even years to get OCD under control, and in fact, it may never go away. However, celebrities such as Howard Hughes, Howie Mandel and David Beckham all suffer from this disorder and are able to keep it under control, maintain successful careers and live relatively normal lives. They are proof to the millions of Americans with OCD that counting, cleaning, hoarding can eventually be controlled..