Definition

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder. A person with OCD has unwanted repetitive thoughts and behaviors.

Causes

The exact cause of OCD is unknown. The nervous system, environment, genes, and mental health may all play a role.

The genes that you inherit from your family may play a role in the development of OCD. Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Risk Factors

OCD is more common in late teens into early adulthood. Your risk is also higher if you have family with OCD.

Symptoms

OCD may cause:

• Obsessions—unwanted, repetitive, and intrusive ideas, impulses, or images; common obsessions include:
  • Persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one
  • Unreasonable concern with being contaminated
  • Unreasonable concerns about safety
  • Unacceptable religious, violent, or sexual thoughts
  • Excessive need to do things correctly or perfectly
  • Persistent worries about a tragic event
• Compulsions—repetitive behaviors or mental acts to reduce the distress associated with obsessions; common compulsions include:
  • Excessive checking of door locks, stoves, water faucets, and light switches
  • Repeatedly making lists, counting, arranging, or aligning things
  • Collecting and hoarding useless objects
  • Repeating routine actions a certain number of times until it feels right
  • Unnecessary rereading and rewriting
  • Mentally repeating phrases
  • Repeatedly washing hands

Conditions associated with OCD include:

• Other anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Organic brain syndrome
• Tourette syndrome
• Attention deficit disorder

If you have OCD, you may know that your thoughts and compulsions do not make sense, but you are unable to stop them.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may ask you many questions about your symptoms. This will help to make a diagnosis. OCD is diagnosed when obsessions and/or compulsions either:

• Cause significant distress
• Interfere with your ability to properly perform at work, school, or in relationships

Treatment

OCD can not be cured. Treatment can reduces OCD thoughts and compulsions. Early treatment can have better results. Common treatment approaches include a combination of medication and therapy.

Prevention

There are no steps for preventing OCD.