What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? What Causes Obsessive Compulsive Behavior?
A person with Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD has an anxiety disorder. OCD is a chronic (long-term) mental health condition, a psychiatric disorder in which the patient has obsessive thoughts as well as compulsive behavior. Obsession – an unwanted idea, thought or impulse that keeps returning into the person’s mind, like a boomerang. The thought or idea is unwelcome, uncontrollable and persistent. The individual cannot help thinking about it, even though it creates anxiety and distress. Compulsions – repetitive, excessive and meaningless mental exercises or activities which the individual performs in an attempt to relieve anxiety (avoid distress and worry). Compulsions are not done for pleasure; they are not voluntary activities. An example is arranging and rearranging items in a set order, or going through a long ritual of checking that all the doors are locked. An individual with OCD may be preoccupied with regular and ritual handwashing, hoarding items, there may be
