About OCD

OCD is so much more than being tidy or concerned about germs.

People who have obsessive-compulsive disorder may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and usually get worse during times of stress.

Common obsessions include:

• Excessive fear of germs or contamination
• Unwanted, forbidden, or taboo thoughts about sex, religion, or harm
• Thoughts about harming yourself or others, even though you have no real desire to do so
• A need to have things in perfect order or symmetry

Common compulsions include:

• Excessively cleaning or washing your hands
• Ordering or arranging items in a specific way
• Repeatedly checking on certain things, such as making sure the oven is turned off
• Trying to think only “acceptable” thoughts
• Compulsively counting

Additionally, a person who has OCD typically:

• Can’t control their thoughts or behaviors
• Spends at least one hour each day on these uncontrollable thoughts or behaviors
• Doesn’t get pleasure from the behaviors or rituals, but may feel a fleeting sense of relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause
• Experiences significant problems in their daily life due to their obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors.