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Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly abbreviated OCD, is a chronic mental health condition characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions that cause significant distress or impairment. Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly enter a person’s mind. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules. The goal of compulsions is often to reduce distress or prevent a feared event, but the relief is usually temporary.

Symptoms vary widely. Common obsessions include fears of contamination, aggressive or sexual thoughts, or a need for symmetry and exactness. Common compulsions include excessive washing, checking, counting, ordering, or repeating actions. Some individuals perform mental rituals rather than visible behaviors. For many, intrusive thoughts are distressing and consuming, leading to time-consuming routines that disrupt daily functioning.

OCD typically begins in late childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood and can follow a fluctuating course with periods of worsening and improvement. It affects social, academic, and work functioning and may co-occur with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, or tic disorders.

Diagnosis is made by a clinician based on criteria that emphasize persistent obsessions and/or compulsions, time spent on symptoms (often more than an hour per day), and substantial distress or impairment. The symptoms must not be attributable to another medical condition or substance.

Treatment usually combines cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), with pharmacotherapy such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In some cases, clomipramine or other medications may be used. Many patients respond well to treatment, though some experience partial improvement or require ongoing management. Public awareness and access to evidence-based care are important for reducing stigma and improving outcomes.