Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder that features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
- These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress. OCD may be caused by changes in the body’s natural chemistry or brain functions, genetics, or learning.
- People with OCD may also experience other anxiety problems, depression, eating disorders, or substance use disorder.
- Treatment may include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- OCD is not a type of anxiety disorder, but people with OCD experience very regular intrusive thoughts.
- Anxiety disorders and OCD are among the most common psychiatric illnesses for children, adolescents, and adults.
what are the most common symptoms of OCD
The most common symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are obsessions and compulsions that interfere with normal activities
- OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety.
- Common obsessions include fear of contamination, unwanted sexual thoughts, aggressive impulses, and religious or moral doubts.
- OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that you feel driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.
- Common compulsions include excessive cleaning, checking, counting, arranging, and repeating words silently.
- People with OCD may or may not realize that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable, but they take up a great deal of time and interfere with daily routine and social, school, or work functioning.
Resources: mayoclinic.org, hopkinsmedicine.org, nih.gov, medicalnewstoday.com, cornell.edu, clevelandclinic.org