Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by a pattern of unwanted thoughts and worries (obsessions), which cause you to engage in repetitive activities (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions disrupt daily life and create substantial discomfort. You can try to ignore or stop your obsessions, but doing so will simply make your misery and worry worse. Finally, you feel compelled to engage in obsessive behaviour in order to alleviate your tension. Despite efforts to avoid or eliminate troublesome thoughts or desires, they return. This results in additional ritualistic behaviour – the OCD vicious cycle.
Symptoms
Obsessions and compulsions are common symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, it is also possible to have merely obsession or only compulsive symptoms. You may or may not recognize that your obsessions and compulsions are excessive or irrational, but they consume a significant amount of your time and interfere with your daily routine as well as social, school, or job functioning.
OCD obsessions are intrusive, repetitive, and unwelcome thoughts, impulses, or pictures that create anguish or worry. You might try to ignore them or eliminate them by engaging in a compulsive habit or ritual. These obsessions usually interfere with your ability to think or accomplish other things.
Obsessions frequently have themes, such as:
- Concerns about contamination or dirt.
- Doubt and inability to tolerate ambiguity.
- Things must be ordered and symmetrical.
- Thoughts of losing control and hurting yourself or others that are aggressive or terrible.
- Unwanted ideas, such as aggressiveness or sexual or religious themes
