Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder that is distinguished by repetitive thoughts and behaviors. People with OCD experience recurrent, unwanted thoughts, images, or worries (obsessions) that lead to anxiety and nervousness, which in turn produces a burning need to carry out particular rituals or routines (compulsions) to prevent the unwanted thoughts and alleviate the subsequent stress. Performing these rituals temporarily relieves the nervous tension and not performing them intensifies feelings of anxiety. OCD often interferes with normal day-to-day activities.
Obsessive symptoms include:
- Fear of dirt and germs
- Fear of hurting someone
- Fear of making an error
- Fear of making a social gaffe
- Fear of thinking evil thoughts
- A urgent need for symmetry, precision and neatness
- Extreme, unwarranted doubt
Compulsive symptoms include:
- Repetitively washing hands, bathing and cleaning
- Refusing to touch items that others have touched
- Checking locks or stoves over and over again
- Continuous counting
- Perpetually organizing things
- Eating food in a certain order
- Feeling trapped by unwanted images or thoughts
- Difficulty sleeping
- Repeating particular words or phrases
- Performing tasks a certain number of times
- Hoarding worthless items
Keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder, ocd, anxiety disorder, repetitive behaviors, rituals, worries, health care needs, psychologist, help
Online Resources
How to cope with OCD
Mayo Clinic
How to help a family member with OCD
International OCD Foundation
Normal worry or OCD? (for kids)
Nemours
