Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Once thought to be rare, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is now recognized to be a fairly common disorder. OCD is typically a chronic disease and is associated with significant suffering and functional impairment.

OCD is characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts, urges or images (obsessions) and by repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) aimed at reducing the distress caused by the obsessions.

Obsessions may include preoccupation with aggressiveness, contamination, sexuality, hoarding/saving, religiosity, symmetry, and/or somatic concerns. Compulsions may involve washing, checking, repeating, counting, ordering, hoarding, or mental acts.

An individual may have multiple obsessions and multiple compulsions and these can change over time.

OCD usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but can even start in childhood.

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