Obsessive compulsive disorder

But OCD is diagnosed only when these activities take at least an hour a day, are very distressing, and interfere with daily life.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as having persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images and the urgent need to perform certain rituals.

Even though people with OCD may acknowledge that these thoughts and rituals are unreasonable, they cannot control them.

The disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals performed to try to prevent or get rid of them are called compulsions.

These are unwanted ideas that repeatedly come into the mind of the person with OCD. Again and again, the person has the same disturbing thought; for example:

• "My hands are dirty - I have to wash them."
• "I may have left the stove turned on."
• "I am going to hurt my child."
  

Compulsions

In response to their obsessions, people with OCD use repetitive behaviors called compulsions. These may include:

• Washing themselves
• Checking
• Counting
• Repeating phrases
• Hoarding things
• Making lists
• Rearranging objects endlessly in an effort to keep them in precise alignment with each other.

OCD can last for years, even decades. The symptoms may become less severe and there may be long periods of time when the symptoms are mild, but for most people with OCD the symptoms are chronic.

People with OCD often struggle to get rid of their unwanted obsessive thoughts and stop compulsive behaviors. Many are able to keep their symptoms under control at work or at school. They may be successful in concealing their OCD symptoms from others. Often, people with OCD do not get professional help until many years after they first experience symptoms. By that time, they may have learned to work their lives - and family members' lives - around the rituals. Over time, however, OCD may become so severe that time-consuming rituals make it impossible for them to continue activities outside their home.