Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Presence of Obsessions or Compulsions or Both

Obsessions

• Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted and cause anxiety and distress in most people
• The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action

Compulsions

• Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly 
• The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress; however these behaviors or mental acts are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or are clearly excessive.