Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Recurring intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive acts (compulsions) that consume time and disrupt life.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by obsessions — recurring, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that cause intense distress — and compulsions, that is repeated acts or rituals carried out to reduce that distress. Common obsessions involve contamination, a need for symmetry and order, or fears of causing harm; compulsions include, for example, washing the hands repeatedly, checking, counting or arranging.
OCD affects about 1–2% of the population and usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. A person usually realises that the thoughts and acts are excessive but cannot give them up, which can cause great suffering and take up many hours a day.
OCD is treated effectively. The mainstay is cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP), often combined with medication. Starting treatment early improves the chance of lasting improvement.
It helps to understand the vicious circle of obsessions and compulsions and — as far as possible, and ideally with a therapist — to hold back the rituals step by step. Reducing stress, protecting sleep, and involving people close to you, who learn not to reinforce the rituals, also help.