Jessica Alba Battled Childhood OCD  7/28/05

Screen siren Jessica Alba spent her childhood battling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - but believes the mental condition has aided her acting career.

The Island star, 24, is sure her earlier suffering can be credited for the control she now has over her professional life.

She says, "So sure, I can be a little obsessive compulsive about things, but that just means that when I do things, I do them proficiently and I do them to the best of my ability.

"I think a lot of actors have OCD. I think it's part of being creative, whether your outlet is acting or science or maths.

"Whatever it is it takes some sort of drive to get anywhere."