Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is categorized by an individual experiencing unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and behavioral rituals (compulsions).
These obsessions are usually recurring and can be intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (uncomfortable bodily sensations). Because of these obsessions, they can drive an individual to perform certain actions, often repetitively, to alleviate the anxiety that the obsessions have caused (compulsions).
OCD, for many people, could center around certain themes, such as fear of contamination, so they may excessively clean, and hand wash.
If the obsessive thoughts are ignored, or the behaviors cannot be performed, anxiety and distress can increase.