Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by distressing and repetitive thoughts, known as obsessions, which compel individuals to perform certain actions, referred to as compulsions. These compulsions may be carried out once or repeatedly until the individual experiences a sense of relief. Engaging in these compulsions can be deeply troubling and bothersome to the individual, a phenomenon referred to as ego-dystonic.
Obsessions and compulsions can vary significantly among individuals, and doctors typically classify OCD into specific categories or clusters. It is common for individuals to experience symptoms from multiple categories, and these symptoms may evolve over time or shift from one category to another.
