What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that an individual feels driven to perform to reduce the anxiety associated with the obsessions. Common obsessions include fears of contamination, harming others, or needing things to be perfectly ordered. Compulsions may include excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or arranging objects.
OCD can significantly impair daily life, causing distress and consuming large amounts of time. Treatment for OCD typically includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), and sometimes medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).