People with OCD may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. These symptoms can interfere with all aspects of life— such as work, school, and personal relationships.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over.
OCD affects up to 3% of people worldwide. Childhood onset can start around 10 years of age, more commonly in boys than girls. Most of the remainder of people with OCD have their first symptoms before they turn 25, with women outnumbering men. OCD symptoms don’t usually develop after age 30.
Symptoms of OCD:
Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety and fear.
Common obsessions include:
- Fear of germs or contamination
- Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or violence
- Aggressive thoughts towards others or self
- Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person feels the urge to do in response to an obsessive thought.
Common compulsions include:
- Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing
- Ordering and arranging things in a particular and precise way
- Repeatedly checking on things, such as checking multiple times to see if the door is locked or that the oven is turned off
- Compulsive counting