Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition in which a person experiences obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are repeated, unwanted thoughts, images or urges that cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform to reduce that distress or prevent a feared outcome.

Symptoms

Common obsession themes include fear of contamination, fear of causing harm, a need for order or symmetry, and unwanted taboo thoughts. Common compulsions include excessive cleaning or handwashing, checking, counting, repeating actions, arranging, and seeking reassurance.

These symptoms can occur with OCD, but only a qualified healthcare professional can provide a diagnosis.

Causes and risk factors

The causes of OCD aren’t fully understood. Genetics, differences in brain circuits, and stressful or traumatic life events may all play a role. OCD often begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, and it can run in families.

Diagnosis

A clinician diagnoses OCD through a clinical interview, often using structured questionnaires, and by ruling out other explanations. OCD commonly occurs alongside anxiety disorders, depression and tic disorders.

Treatment

• Exposure and response prevention (ERP): a type of CBT in which you gradually face feared thoughts or situations while resisting compulsions. ERP has strong research support. Learn more about exposure therapy.
• Medication: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used, sometimes at different doses than for depression, as determined by a prescriber.
• Combination: many people benefit from therapy and medication together.

Self-care

Learning about OCD can reduce shame. Try to notice reassurance-seeking and avoidance, since these can keep the cycle going. Support groups and involving trusted family members in treatment can also help.