Symptoms of OCD are:
- Obsessions—unwanted ideas, impulses, or images. They repeat often and press into thoughts even thought they are not welcome.
- Compulsions—repeated behaviors or mental acts. They are often done to lower anxiety or distress caused by obsessions.
People with OCD know their thoughts and behaviors do not make sense. Most would like to avoid or stop them but OCD makes this very hard.
Common obsessions include:
- Regular and intense fears that harm may come to them or a loved one
- Intense and unfounded concern about becoming contaminated
- Extreme concern about safety
- Improper religious, violent, or sexual thoughts
- Very intense need to do things perfectly
Common compulsions include:
- Checking door locks, stoves, water faucets, light switches, over and over and over
- Repeated list making, counting, arranging, or aligning things
- Collecting and hoarding useless objects
- Repeating habits a specific number of times until it feels just right
- Re-reading and re-writing more often than needed
- Repeating phrases in their head
- Hand washing repeatedly
Most people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. Some only have 1 or the other. Many with OCD are ashamed of their disorder. This may prevent them from talking to their doctor and getting help.
