Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not always recognized by the individual who has it or by those close to the individual. The person with OCD usually experiences a great deal of distress or an inability to function in daily life. That could mean that they do not function well at school or at work. It may take years before an individual is correctly diagnosed with OCD due to the stigma attached to the disorder or because of the lack of recognition from those professionals who do not deal with OCD on a regular basis. OCD is a persistent and severe mental illness and can be debilitating to the sufferer who does not receive treatment.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is classified as an anxiety disorder. The disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts and or repetitive compulsive actions (physical or mental) that are clinically significant.

Obsessions:

Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images that are intrusive and inappropriate and the individual experiences great anxiety and distress.

We are not talking about everyday excessive worries about real-life problems, as traumatic as these may be to those who experience them; OCD is totally different as the worries are inappropriate in nature.

There is an attempt on the part of the person with OCD to somehow neutralize the thought, impulse or image by some other thought or action.

The person does understand that the thought, impulse or image is of his/her own mind and is not from any other source.

Compulsive behavior:

This type of behavior is defined by repetitive behaviors like hand washing repeatedly, ordering, checking or doing mental acts repeatedly such as praying, counting, or repeating words.

Behaviors or actions are purposefully to prevent or reduce some anticipated act or situation that brings about grave anxiety. These behaviors or mental acts are either not connected in a manner that is realistic with what is meant to be neutralized or to be prevented or they are clearly excessive.

The adult patient can recognize that the obsessions and compulsive behaviors are unreasonable and excessive and they cause great distress.

These behaviors are time consuming; usually greater than an hour in duration and cause dysfunction at work or at school. They can cause conflict with social relationships or activities.

The common compulsive behavior associated with the obsession of fear of contamination is to wash or clean repeatedly. The compulsive behavior associated with the obsession for symmetry or precise arranging is to order, arrange, balance or straighten until something is "just right". The compulsive behavior associated with the obsession of unwanted sexual or aggressive thoughts or images is to keep checking, praying or "undoing" actions and asking for reassurance that the "object of obsession" is not occurring. The compulsive behavior associated with the obsession of any doubts concerning whether or not the stove has been left on or the doors have been securely locked is that they will repeated check to see if the stove is turned off or repeated check the locks to see that they are secure. The commonly associated behavior behind the compulsive act of hoarding is the result of the concern about throwing away something of value.