OCD

• Fear of germs or contamination
• Fear of forgetting, losing, or misplacing something
• Fear of losing control over one’s behavior
• Aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself
• Unwanted, forbidden, or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
• Desire to have things symmetrical or in perfect order

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors a person feels the urge to do, often in response to an obsession. Common compulsions include:

• Excessive cleaning or handwashing
• Ordering or arranging items in a particular, precise way
• Repeatedly checking things, such as that the door is locked or the oven is off
• Compulsive counting
• Praying or repeating words silently

Not all repeated thoughts are obsessions, and not all rituals or habits are compulsions. However, people with OCD generally:

• Can’t control their obsessions or compulsions, even when they know they’re excessive.
• Spend more than 1 hour a day on their obsessions or compulsions.
• Don’t get pleasure from their compulsions but may feel temporary relief from their anxiety.
• Experience significant problems in daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors.  

Some people with OCD also have a tic disorder involving repetitive movements or sounds. Motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements, such as eye blinking and other eye movements, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Vocal tics include things like repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds. It is common for people with OCD to also have a diagnosed mood disorder or anxiety disorder.

OCD symptoms may begin anytime but usually start between late childhood and young adulthood. Most people with OCD are diagnosed as young adults.

The symptoms of OCD may start slowly and can go away for a while or worsen as time passes. During times of stress, the symptoms often get worse. A person’s obsessions and compulsions also may change over time.

People with OCD might avoid situations that trigger their symptoms or use drugs or alcohol to cope. Many adults with OCD recognize that their compulsive behaviors do not make sense. However, children may not realize that their behavior is out of the ordinary and often fear that something terrible will happen if they do not perform certain compulsive rituals. Parents or teachers typically recognize OCD symptoms in children