Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Guides & Articles
What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterized by obsessions, anxiety, and compulsions. 1 It’s a relatively common chronic condition occurring in around 2% of the population. 2
Obsessions take place in the mind and may manifest as intrusive thoughts, urges, or mental images. They revolve around intense fears concerning themes such as violence, sex, religion, harm, contamination, loss of control, and symmetry. 3 The anxiety caused by obsessions triggers compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors, such as counting, checking, arranging, and cleaning. 4
Obsessions cause intense anxiety to build up until carrying out the associated compulsive behavior provides temporary relief. However, every time someone completes the obsession-compulsion cycle, it’s reinforced in the brain. Many people with OCD understand their symptoms aren’t rational, but self-awareness is rarely enough to overcome them. 5 Knowing they’re doing something beyond their control tends to enhance the anxiety associated with the condition and negatively impacts self-esteem, leading to isolation and other mental health disorders, such as depression. 6
While most people double-check or worry excessively from time to time, people with OCD experience debilitating distress and struggle chronically as a result. They spend at least an hour each day checking or performing routines and often experience profound suffering and shame without professional OCD treatment. 7
