Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive thoughts are unwanted, intrusive, and impulsive thoughts that produce feelings of anxiety. They often involve a theme of harm or danger. Compulsions or rituals are often performed in response to obsessive thoughts in order to alleviate the anxiety one feels in response to them. Some examples of obsessive thoughts are:
- a fear of contamination resulting in a compulsion to wash or clean oneself excessively
- a fear of leaving something undone that may cause harm, resulting in an anxious compulsion to repetitively check and count things
In severe cases of OCD, performance of rituals can consume one’s time and energy, impairing daily functioning.
*OCD has been recently reclassified and is now in the category of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders. There is still significant anxiety with this disorder and as such will remain on our website.