Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness characterized by abnormal obsessions and behaviors. Anxiety plays a key component in its symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause for OCD is still unclear. However, a serotonin hormone deficit, the environment, strep throat and your body chemistry may play a role in causing OCD. Specific symptoms characterize OCD.
Obsession
According to the Mayo Clinic, OCD's obsessive components include fear of dirt and focusing on sexual images, aggression and orderliness. You may also become fearful about shaking people's hands and may have the urge to shout curse words. Other OCD symptoms include washing your hands repetitively, picking at skin lesions and pulling out your hair when becoming bald. Doubts also play a huge role in OCD. You may have doubts about whether you locked the door or turned off the stove, for example. Sometimes, you may try to avoid certain social situations so you don't have to shake hands.
Compulsions
OCD is also characterized by compulsions. According to the Mayo Clinic, compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors that serve to quell obsessions. Examples include counting, checking, keeping things obsessively in order and needing reassurance. OCD can also lead to moving furniture so that it faces a certain way. These are just examples; a wide variety of compulsions are possible. OCD is different from perfectionism because OCD is time-consuming. For example, you may spend four hours washing your hands or checking your doors.
Related Conditions
According to Mental Health America, OCD is associated with eating disorders, depression, alcohol or drug use and anxiety disorders. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia are mental disorders in which you binge eat, vomit and lose weight, respectively. Depression is another mental disease in which you experience feelings of hopelessness, sadness and isolation. Typically, it may take nine to 17 years for OCD sufferers to get adequate OCD treatment.
