Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Symptoms and Interventions

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental illness (psychiatric disorder) that is characterized by distressing intrusive obsessive thoughts and fears and/or repetitive compulsive actions (rituals) that are done to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress, not to provide pleasure or gratification. It is a lifelong mental illness and recovery from it is gradual and ongoing treatment is necessary to help prevent relapses. © 2012 SAGE Publications.