Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder It is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.

The following are some of the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

People with OCD annoyingly suffer with persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to perform certain rituals.
They may be obsessed with germs or dirt, and wash their hands over and over.
They may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly.
Obsessive thought are out of fear, anxiety or panic attacks. And
Compulsions are to seek relief from obsession-related anxiety.

Obsessions:

1 initial obsessions (intrusive thoughts): can vary in their clarity and vividness - involve a general sense of disarray or tension accompanied by a belief that life cannot proceed as normal while the imbalance remains.
2 A more pronounced obsession : thought or image of someone close to them dying
3 Other obsessions: God, the Devil, or disease will harm people or things that the person cares about.
4 Physical world is qualified by certain immaterial conditions. These people might feel invisible protrusions from their bodies, or could feel that inanimate objects are ensouled.
5 sexual obsessions :thoughts or images of "kissing, touching, fondling, intercourse, incest and rape" with "strangers, acquaintances, parents, children, family members, friends, coworkers, animals and religious figures", and can include "heterosexual or homosexual content" with persons of any age.
6 One might act on the troubling thoughts, resulting in self-criticism or self-loathing.
7 Feel notions do not correspond with the external world; however, they feel that they must act as though their notions were correct 8 Severe OCD, obsessions can shift into delusions.

Compulsions

1 Compulsive ritual acts to mitigate the anxiety that stems from particular obsessive thoughts.
2 Feel that these actions somehow either will prevent a dreaded event from occurring, or will push the event from their thoughts.
3 In any case, the reasoning is so idiosyncratic or distorted there will be significant distress for the individual or for those around them.

Following are some of them:

1 Excessive skin picking (i.e., dermatillomania)
2 Hair plucking (i.e., trichotillomania)
3 Nail biting (i.e., onychophagia)
4 Counting specific things (such as footsteps) or in specific ways (for instance, by intervals of two)
5 Doing other repetitive actions -People might repeatedly wash their hand. or clear their throats
6 Making sure certain items are in a straight line, repeatedly check that their parked cars have been locked before leaving them
7 Constantly organizing in a certain way, turn lights on and off, keep doors closed at all times, touch objects a certain number of times before exiting a room
8 Walk in a certain routine way like only stepping on a certain color of tile, or have a routine for using stairs, such as always finishing a flight on the same foot.
Individuals with OCD are aware that their thoughts and behavior are not rational, but they are bound to act them to prevent feelings of panic or dread.
Some people use compulsions to avoid situations that may trigger their obsessions.
Although some people do certain things over and over again, they don't necessarily perform these actions compulsively. For example, bedtime routines, learning a new skill, and religious practices are not compulsions.
In addition to the anxiety and fear that typically accompanies OCD, some people may spend hours performing such tasks (i.e., compulsions) every day. In such situations it can be hard for the person to fulfill their work, family, or social roles.
In some cases, these behaviors can also cause adverse physical symptoms. For example, people who obsessively wash their hands with antibacterial soap and hot water to remove what they consider to be contamination can make their skin red and raw with dermatitis.

1 Behavioral therapy (BT)
2 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
3 Medications should be regarded as first-line treatments for OCD.
4 Psychodynamic psychotherapy may help in managing some aspects of the disorder