Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - Symptoms and causes
Overview Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions. These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions get in the way of daily activities and cause a lot of distress.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder - Wikipedia
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which an individual has intrusive thoughts (an obsession) and feels the need to perform certain behaviors (compulsions) repeatedly to relieve the distress caused by the obsession, to the extent where it impairs general function. [1][2][7] OCD has been described since antiquity and ...

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Harvard Health
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? In obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a person is troubled by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and feels the pressure to carry out repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Neuroscientists believe that the brain pathways involved with judgment, planning, and body movement are altered in OCD.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Signs and Treatment
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or urges (obsessions). It also can cause you to do certain actions over and over again (compulsions).

What Is are Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking on things or cleaning, can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.

International OCD Foundation | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The mission of the International OCD Foundation is to help those affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders to live full and productive lives. Our aim is to increase access to effective treatment through research and training, foster a hopeful and supportive community for those affected by OCD and the professionals who treat them, and fight stigma surrounding mental ...

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - National Institute of Mental ...
Learn about NIMH research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Find resources on the signs and symptoms of OCD and potential treatments and therapies.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Johns Hopkins Medicine
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder. It causes unreasonable thoughts, fears, or worries. A person with OCD tries to manage these thoughts through rituals. Frequent disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions. They are irrational and can cause great anxiety. Reasoning doesn’t help control the thoughts. Rituals or ...

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder - NAMI
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions). Although people with OCD may know that their thoughts and behavior don’t make sense, they are often unable to stop them. Symptoms typically begin during childhood, the teenage years or young adulthood, although ...

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - MedlinePlus
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which you have thoughts (obsessions) and rituals (compulsions) over and over. They interfere with your life, but you cannot control or stop them.