WHAT IS OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterised by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and ritualised, repetitive behaviors you feel compelled to perform.
If you have OCD, you probably recognise that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
are irrational—but even so, you feel unable to resist them and break free.
Common Obsessions in OCD
Contamination
Body Fluids, germs/disease, environmental contaminants, household chemicals or dirt
Losing Control
Fear of acting on impulse, to harm oneself/others, fear of violent/horrific mental images or blurting out obscenities/insults
Harm
Fear of being responsible for something terrible happening or fear of harming others because of not being careful enough
Perfectionism
Concern with exactness or need to know, fear of losing/forgetting important information, fear of losing things
Unwanted Sexual Thoughts
Forbidden/perverse sexual thoughts, feelings and impulses, or sexual obsessions involving children or incest
Religious Obsessions
Concern about offending God or concern about blasphemy, excessive concern with right/wrong or morality
Other Obsessions
Obsession about one's sexual orientation, concern with getting a physical illness/disease, superstitious ideas about luck and numbers
Common Compulsions in OCD
Checking
Checking that you did not / will not harm yourself or others, checking that nothing terrible happened or that you made a mistake
Mental Compulsions
Mental review of events to prevent harm, praying to prevent harm, counting while performing a task to end on a "good", "right" or "safe" number
Washing and Cleaning
Washing hands excessively, excessive showering or toilet routines, cleaning objects excessively
Repeating
Re-reading or re-writing, repeating routing activities or body movements, repeating activities in multiples
Other Compulsions
Putting things in order or arranging things until it "feels right", telling/asking/confessing to get reassurance
