"For most people, the idea of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may flow from common comedic representations, such as the eponymous detective in the hit show "Monk," who feels obliged to touch every telephone pole and has a severe fear of contamination. There's also the flippant way in which many people express "I'm so OCD" because they might double-check that the stove is off before leaving home. But OCD is a serious disorder that usually causes tremendous suffering."
"While most people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions, it's possible to have OCD with just obsessions. In addition, compulsions do not have to be outward displays of behavior. Thoughts can also be compulsions when they involve things like counting obsessively or saying phrases in your head over and over again, usually to neutralize some threat or relieve anxiety in relation to an obsessional thought or set of thoughts."
OCD involves distressing obsessions such as intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that provoke anxiety, disgust, or a sense that things are incomplete. Compulsive behaviors like repeated handwashing are common but not required for diagnosis. Mental rituals such as internal counting or repeating phrases can function as compulsions and serve to neutralize perceived threats. OCD can occur with obsessions alone. The disorder frequently causes severe suffering and carries substantial suicide risk. Effective treatments exist, and symptoms often wax and wane over time. Early recognition and appropriate therapy can reduce suffering and prevent escalation.
Read at Psychology Today
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