An anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both that are time-consuming, are distressing, or interfere significantly with normal routine, occupational functioning, usual social activities, or relationships with others.
A mental disorder characterised by the need to perform repeated ritual acts such as checking or cleaning, which can be treated with psychotherapy and antidepressants.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that includes excessive, persistent thoughts or behavioral impulses that interfere with everyday functioning. Children must experience obsessions or compulsions, but most often both are present. Themes of obsessions for children and adolescents often involve fears of contamination, physical injury, religiosity, and topics such as sex or violence. Compulsions involve uncontrollable urges to complete acts such as washing rituals, counting, organizing, hoarding, or checking. The child is usually aware that his or her behavior is unreasonable, but this is not a requirement for diagnosis.
Psychiatric illness characterized by persistent, uncontrollable thoughts that cause anxiety and compel the patient to perform excessive, repetitive activities causing incapacity.
A mental disorder characterized by mild to severe persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that a person tries to compensate for with repetitive actions (compulsions) he or she feels driven to perform. Obsessions are not usually related to real-life problems. The most common obsessions concern contamination (for example, from handling money or shaking hands); recurring doubts (for example, about having locked a door or turned off a stove); a need for objects to be ordered or arranged in a particular way; violent or shocking impulses (for example, hurting someone); and unusual sexual images.
A mental-health problem experienced at some time by up to 3 per cent of people. The main feature is spontaneous intrusive thoughts that cause intense anxiety. Many of these thoughts prompt urges, or compulsions, to carry out particular actions in order to reduce the anxiety. One of the commonest obsessions is a fear of dirt and contamination that prompts compulsive cleaning or repeated and unnecessary hand washing.
An anxiety disorder characterized by having recurrent intrusive or inappropriate thoughts, images, or impulses that cause a marked elevation of anxiety along with engaging in behaviors or mental acts that are ritualistic and designed to lower anxiety.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that manifests through the presence of obsessions, which are recurrent thoughts or impulses, and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors.
A mental health disorder commonly referred to as OCD causes individuals to experience persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that drive them to perform repeated, ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). While the disorder typically emerges in adolescence, it’s relatively uncommon. Still, milder obsessive symptoms might appear in roughly one-sixth of the population, especially during stressful periods.
OCD may be influenced by genetics, but environmental aspects also contribute. Traits such as being overly orderly and clean might be associated, as well as a predisposition to neurotic symptoms. Specific brain injuries, particularly from encephalitis, can lead to obsessive symptoms. Studies on individuals with OCD indicate heightened activity in the frontal regions of the brain.
Obsessions are repetitive thoughts or emotions that seem to enter the mind unbidden. Even though individuals recognize these thoughts as irrational, they struggle to disregard them. Common obsessions include violent thoughts, fears of contamination by germs, and persistent doubts, such as questioning if the door is locked or the stove is off. In some cases, there’s an incessant pondering over a specific word, phrase, or unresolved issue, known as obsessional rumination.
Compulsions are repetitive actions performed in a ritualistic manner, often driven by the desire to alleviate fears or reduce anxiety. Common compulsive behaviors include frequent handwashing, counting, and repeatedly checking things.
Compulsive behaviors can become so frequent that they significantly interfere with an individual’s daily activities and social interactions.
The condition frequently coexists with depression and anxiety. In severe cases, an individual might become confined to their home.
Numerous individuals show positive reactions to behavioral therapy, occasionally alongside the usage of antidepressant medications. The majority experience a full recovery within a year, although symptoms might resurface during times of stress. Individuals with severe cases might grapple with OCD throughout their lives.