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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Dr. Ajay NihalaniPsychiatrist • 28 Years Exp.Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, United Kingdom (MRC Psych), MD - Psychiatry, MBBS
OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
An obsession is a recurrent theme, idea, thought, an image which just does not go away and makes us uncomfortable or anxious. Eg. Hands are dirty, obscene thoughts regarding deities whilst praying etc.
A compulsion is a recurrent act done to overcome or neutralize the obsessive thought and the accompanying anxiety, guilt, bad feeling.
We all at times are a bit obsessive or finicky eg cleanliness but if these thoughts (obsessions) or acts (compulsions) start affecting our day to day lives and cause hindrance, this could be OCD.