Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an anxiety disorder, has an onset of symptoms by age 30. MedlinePlus defines obsessions as intrusive thoughts, and compulsions are behaviors that drive a patient to perform an action. Patients with OCD know they are having abnormal thoughts and behaviors but are unable to stop them. The obsessions and compulsions are invasive and can disrupt the patient's life. Some patients may have only obsessions or compulsions, though they can have both kinds of symptoms that are connected with a similar theme.
Obsessions
The Mayo Clinic states that an OCD patient's obsessions follow a certain theme, such as a fear of germs, excessive organization and aggressive impulses. For example, if a patient's obsessions revolve around a fear of germs, she can have a fear of shaking hands or touching door knobs without cleaning them first. Other obsessions include being afraid things are not in order, having aggressive thoughts about loved ones and doubting the stove is off or the door is locked. Obsessions that involve violent behaviors may scare the patient, especially if they involve people close to her. The obsessions can be severe enough that they take over all of the person's thoughts. Without psychological intervention, such as with cognitive behavioral therapy, the patient cannot get rid of the obsessive thoughts.
Compulsions
Like obsessions, the compulsions also follow a theme, such as washing parts of the body, checking things repetitively and being orderly. Examples of compulsions found in OCD patients are hand washing that results in damage to the hand, checking things excessively and counting items in certain patterns, according to the Mayo Clinic. Compulsions can also include hording items that the patient never uses, or buying items in excess, especially if the patient does not have the sufficient funds to pay for them. The patient can have both obsessions and compulsions that focus on a single thought and behavior, such as a fear of germs and washing hands. The patient may perform the compulsions as a way to decrease anxiety from the obsessions, but this leads to further anxiety if the compulsive behaviors are disrupted.
Tics
Although obsessions and compulsions are the main symptoms of OCD, MedlinePlus states that 20 percent of OCD patients also have tics, which are repetitive movements or sounds that come on suddenly. Patients have difficulty controlling them, which can make tics embarrassing and inconvenient.
