Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that create significant distress, anxiety, or uncertainty. These experiences, known as obsessions, feel intrusive and difficult to dismiss, even when a person recognizes that these fears may be exaggerated or unlikely.

In response to these distressing thoughts and feelings, individuals with OCD often engage in compulsions. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental rituals intended to reduce anxiety, prevent a feared outcome, or create a sense of certainty. These neutralizing acts are attempts to eliminate or reduce distress, uncertainty, or perceived danger. Common compulsions may include checking, washing, counting, researching, seeking reassurance, avoiding triggers, reviewing memories, thought-control strategies, or repeating actions until they feel “just right.”

While compulsions may provide temporary relief, they often strengthen the OCD cycle over time. The more a person relies on compulsions to reduce anxiety, the more frequently obsessions tend to return, creating a pattern that can become increasingly disruptive to daily life.