What is  Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) ?     
       OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety, or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsion.

So what are the causes of this syndrome?        
   The experts agree that both psychological and biological factors play a role in causing the disorder.
Famous People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

David Beckham 
Obsession: Symmetry
 
David suffers from OCD and it manifests itself through constant cleanliness and perfection of all that is around him. Not only does he insist on lining up his shirts according to their colour, he is obsessive about symmetry and order throughout their home. 'He's got that obsessive compulsive thing where everything has to match,' says his wife, Victoria. 'If you open our fridge, it's all co-ordinated down either side. We've got three fridges - food in one, salad in another and drinks in the third. In the drinks one, everything is symmetrical. If there's three cans of Diet Coke, he'd throw one away rather than having three - because it has to be an even number.'  For him everything must be in pairs, if there are three books on a table one must be added, or one must be removed. Only 2% of the population suffer from this strong OCD.

Donald Trump 
Obsession : Shaking hands
 
(born June 14, 1946 in Queens, New York, New York) is an American business executive, entrepreneur, television and radio personality and author. He is also known for his catchphrase "You're Fired" and his distinctive hair style. Donald Trump, host of the TV show "The Apprentice," has a germ phobia that makes him afraid to shake hands. Property tycoon Donald Trump confesses he has borderline obsessive compulsive disorder and is terrified of germs. The star refuses to touch the ground floor button of a lift and avoids shaking hands with people - especially teachers.



Cameron DIaz
Obsession: Doorknobs

(born August 30, 1972) is an American actress and former fashion model. She is perhaps best known for her roles in popular blockbuster movies such as The Mask, There's Something About Mary, My Best Friend's Wedding, Charlie's Angels, Shrek, and Gangs of New York. Cameron Diaz suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and has publicly admitted she habitually rubs doorknobs so hard before opening doors to clean them that the original paint on the doorknobs fades afterwards. She says, she washes her hands "many times" each day and uses her elbows to push open doors. Diaz has perhaps modified her fears somewhat, saying on May 10, 2007, "I think I've made my peace with it."





Leonardo Dicaprio
Obsession: Cracks in the pavement

(born November 11, 1974 is a three-time Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning American actor who garnered world wide fame for his role as Jack Dawson in Titanic. Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Whilst researching for the role of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes in The Aviator, the Hollywood heart-throb revisited his childhood obsession with cracks in the pavement in order to understand the mind of OCD sufferer Hughes. The star became so immersed in the role, that he was frequently late on set because of the compulsion to re-trace his footsteps avoiding the cracks in the pavement.The 'Titanic' star says he has to force himself not to step on every chewing gum stain when walking along and fight urges to walk through a doorway several times, because he doesn't want his condition taking over his life.


Justin Timberlake 
Obssesion : symmetry

(born January 31, 1981 is an American pop singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Justin Timberlake came to fame as one of the lead singers of pop boy band 'N Sync. In 2002, he released his debut solo album, Justified. According to an interview that Timberlake gave he said he has a "complicated" mix of OCD and attention deficit disorder. Like the British soccer star David Beckham, Timberlake states that he has to make sure that things are lined up perfect and also makes sure that the fridge is stocked only with certain foods. Although he struggles with OCD and ADD Timberlake says he still loves to perform and it doesn't stop him from living.



Jessica Alba
Obssesion : Perfectionism

Another actress who claims she can be 'a little obsessive compulsive about things' is Jessica Alba, who suggests it's down to being creative. Jessica has suffered from OCD since she was a child and explains it as her way of achieving her best in everything she does as her obsession is with perfectionism.

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Obsession: Closet doors

When asked once what she inherited from her mother, the stunning actress replied: 'Everything. I'm really strong like her, and very stubborn like her when it's something I really believe in,' she says. 'I also have a little OCD like her. Except we have it about different things. My Mom counts steps, while I cannot go to sleep if there are any cabinet doors or closets open in my house. It's very strange and weird.'

For more information about OCD, you can visit : http://ocd.about.com or http://ocdtodayuk.org