Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have obsessions—thoughts, images, or urges that occur over and over even though people do not want them to. These obsessions intrude even when people are thinking about and doing other things. Also, obsessions usually cause great distress or anxiety. The themes of the obsessions include harm (to self or others), cleaning or contamination, forbidden or taboo thoughts (for example, aggressive or sexual obsessions), and the need for symmetry.

Common obsessions include the following:

Because the obsessions are not pleasurable, people often try to ignore and/or control them.

Compulsions (also called rituals) are one way people respond to their obsessions. For example, they may feel driven to do something—repetitive, purposeful, and intentional—to try to prevent or relieve the anxiety caused by their obsessions.

Common compulsions include the following:

Most rituals, such as excessive handwashing or repeated checking to make sure a door has been locked, can be observed. Other rituals, such as repetitive counting in one's mind or quietly mumbling statements intended to diminish danger, cannot be observed.

Rituals may have to be done in a precise way according to rigid rules. The rituals may or may not be logically connected to the obsession. When compulsions are logically connected to the obsession (for example, showering to avoid being dirty or checking the stove to prevent fire), they are clearly excessive. For example, people may shower for hours each day or always check the stove 30 times before they leave the house. All obsessions and rituals are time-consuming. People may spend hours each day on them. They may cause so much distress or interfere with functioning so much that people are incapacitated.

Most people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions.

Most people with OCD are at least somewhat aware that their obsessive thoughts do not reflect actual risks or reality and that their compulsive behaviors are excessive. However, a few people are convinced that their obsessions are well-founded and that their compulsions are reasonable.

Most people with OCD are aware that their compulsive behaviors are excessive. Thus, they may perform their rituals secretly, even though the rituals may occupy several hours each day.

As a result of OCD symptoms, relationships may deteriorate, and people with OCD may do less well in school, at work, or in other aspects of daily functioning.

Many people with OCD also have other mental health disorders. About 76% of people with OCD also have a lifetime diagnosis of an anxiety disorder Overview of Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness, worry, or unease that is a normal human experience. It is also present in a wide range of mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder... read more , about 41% have a lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder, and 23 to 32% have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (which is different from obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental health condition that is characterized by a pervasive preoccupation with orderliness... read more .

About 35 to 50% of people with OCD have suicidal thoughts at some point, and about 10 to 15% attempt suicide Attempted suicide in the United States Suicide is death caused by an act of self-harm that is intended to be lethal. Suicidal behavior includes completed suicide, attempted suicide, and suicidal ideation (thoughts and ideas). Suicide... read more . Risk of a suicide attempt is increased if people also have major depressive disorder (see Suicidal Behavior Suicidal Behavior Suicide is death caused by an act of self-harm that is intended to be lethal. Suicidal behavior includes completed suicide, attempted suicide, and suicidal ideation (thoughts and ideas). Suicide... read more ).

Doctors diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder based on symptoms: the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both. The obsessions or compulsions must be at least one of the following:

Exposure and ritual (response) prevention therapy, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy Psychotherapy Extraordinary advances have been made in the treatment of mental illness. As a result, many mental health disorders can now be treated nearly as successfully as physical disorders. Most treatment... read more , is often effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. Exposure therapy involves gradually and repeatedly exposing people to whatever situations or people triggers obsessions, rituals, or discomfort while asking them not to perform the compulsive ritual (ritual prevention therapy). Discomfort or anxiety gradually diminishes during repeated exposure as people learn that rituals are unnecessary for decreasing discomfort. The improvement usually persists for years, perhaps because people who have mastered this approach are able to continue to practice it after formal treatment has ended. Cognitive therapy is often added to exposure and ritual prevention therapy.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Several types of medications can be used to treat depression: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors, serotonin modulators, and serotonin-norepinephrine... read more (such as fluoxetine), a type of antidepressant, and clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, are often effective. Higher doses than are commonly used for the treatment of depression may be needed. Many experts believe that a combination of exposure and ritual prevention therapy along with medication is the best treatment, especially for more severe symptoms.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy (which emphasizes the identification of unconscious patterns in current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors) and psychoanalysis have generally not been effective for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.