OCD, short for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by the presence of repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that cause significant distress, disruption, and impairment in daily functioning. Obsessions refer to intrusive, unwanted, and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that repeatedly and involuntarily enter an individual's mind. These obsessions often center around themes, such as cleanliness, order, symmetry, fear of harm or contamination, or irrational doubts. Importantly, individuals with OCD recognize these obsessions as excessive or irrational, but are unable to suppress them.
Compulsions, on the other hand, are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals engage in to alleviate the anxiety or distress caused by their obsessions, or to prevent a feared event or situation. These compulsions can manifest as repetitive rituals, like hand washing, checking, counting, or arranging objects, or mental acts like silently repeating certain phrases or praying. However, these compulsions are typically excessive, time-consuming, and interfere with daily activities and relationships.
OCD often targets areas significant to an individual's everyday life, leading to impairment in academic, occupational, and social functioning. While the exact cause of OCD is unknown, it is believed to be a result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Treatment for OCD typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, most commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
