Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterised by a pattern of unwanted, intrusive thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety or distress and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) that an individual feels driven to perform in response to the obsessions or according to rigid rules.

Here's a breakdown of the key components:

• Obsessions: These are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress. Individuals with OCD often attempt to ignore or suppress such obsessions or to neutralise them with some other thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion). Common obsessions include:
  • Fear of contamination (germs, dirt).
  • Fear of harming oneself or others.
  • Unwanted sexual thoughts.
  • Religious obsessions (scrupulosity).
  • Need for symmetry or order.
  • Fear of losing control.
  • Intrusive violent thoughts.
     
• Compulsions: These are repetitive behaviours (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. The aim of these compulsions is to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress or to prevent some dreaded event or situation. However, these compulsions are either not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralise or prevent or are clearly excessive. Common compulsions include:
  • Excessive washing or cleaning.
  • Repeatedly checking things (e.g., locks, stoves, light switches).
  • Ordering and arranging things in a particular way.
  • Counting or repeating words or phrases silently.
  • Praying excessively.
  • Hoarding objects.
  • Seeking reassurance.
• Distress and Impairment: The obsessions and/or compulsions are time-consuming (e.g., take more than one hour per day), cause clinically significant distress, or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. This is a crucial criterion for diagnosis; occasional intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviours that don't significantly disrupt life are not considered OCD.

• Lack of Insight (May Vary): Individuals with OCD may or may not recognise that their obsessions are excessive or unreasonable. This level of awareness can vary over time.

It's important to understand that OCD is more than just being a "perfectionist" or liking things to be organised. It's a debilitating condition where intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours become overwhelming and significantly interfere with daily life. While the content of obsessions and compulsions can vary widely, the underlying mechanism involves a cycle of anxiety triggered by obsessions, leading to compulsions performed to reduce that anxiety, which ultimately reinforces the cycle.