Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves unwanted, recurring thoughts, images, or urges and repetitive actions or mental rituals performed to reduce distress or prevent a feared outcome.
Common signs and experiences
Obsessions may focus on contamination, harm, mistakes, morality, relationships, symmetry, or other themes. Compulsions can include checking, washing, repeating, arranging, seeking reassurance, reviewing memories, or performing silent mental rituals. The cycle can consume substantial time even when a person recognizes that the fear is exaggerated.
How evaluation works
A clinician asks about both visible and hidden rituals, avoidance, time spent, distress, and interference with daily life. OCD can be confused with generalized worry, perfectionism, psychosis, eating disorders, or repetitive behavior associated with other conditions, so the function of the behavior matters.
Treatment and support
Exposure and response prevention, a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy, is a leading treatment. Medication may also help, often alongside therapy. Care proceeds gradually and collaboratively so a person can face uncertainty without relying on rituals.
This page provides general education, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. A qualified clinician can assess your individual symptoms and needs.
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