OCD is a term we hear people talk about all the time. OCD is not just someone who likes to organize their space and keep things clean. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder that is defined by a series of obsessive thoughts that lead to behaviors that are ritualistic and repetitive.

Obsessions are automatic negative thoughts, images, urges, worries or doubts that repeatedly appear in your mind. They can make you feel very discomforted and uneasy.

Compulsions are an irresistible urges to act on the discomfort of those automatic thoughts in an effort to stop the feeling and thought process. These behaviors often disrupt daily function and can impact our lives in negarive ways. Examples include:

Checking the locks at night and rechecking

Turning around on our drive to work to recheck the stove

Excessive hand washing

Counting in certain patterns

Hyperawareness of health symptoms, compulsive googling

Repeating words, phrases or prayers