Obsessive-compulsive disorder
A disorder of intrusive obsessions and repetitive compulsions that briefly reduce distress but maintain the cycle and impair daily life.
Definition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterised by obsessions, compulsions or both that cause distress, consume time or impair functioning. Symptoms may include overt rituals, mental rituals, avoidance and reassurance-seeking.
First principles
An obsession is intrusive and distressing; a compulsion is the attempted neutralisation
Obsessions are unwanted, recurrent thoughts, images or urges that cause anxiety, disgust or unease. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce that distress or prevent a feared outcome. They may be overt, such as washing or checking, or covert, such as counting, reviewing memories or seeking reassurance.
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