Definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating anxiety condition that can result in significant distress for both the sufferer and loved ones. This page provides a definition of obsessive compulsive disorder, signs of obsessive compulsive disorder and important statistics about obsessive compulsive disorder.

Definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that often begins in late childhood or early adolescence and if untreated can persist throughout a person's life.

The condition is characterised by recurrent and persistent thoughts, images or impulses that are intrusive and unwanted (obsessions). The OCD sufferer also usually performs repetitive and ritualistic actions that are excessive, time-consuming and distressing (compulsions).

The majority of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience both obsessions and compulsions; somewhat less than 25% have only obsessions, and about 5% have only compulsions.

The definition of obsessive compulsive disorder based on the diagnostic manual for mental disorder (DSM-IV) is the following:

The person suffers from either obsessions or compulsions (or both):

Obsessions are defined as:

(1)   recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress

(2)   the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems

(3)   the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action

(4)   the person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion

Compulsions are defined as:

(1)   repetitive behaviours (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly

(2)   the behaviours or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviours or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive

At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognised that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable (this does not need to apply to children). The obsessions or compulsions also cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships.

The page provides a definition of obsessive compulsive disorder, some of the signs of obsessive compulsive disorder and important statistics about obsessive compulsive disorder. If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the symptoms of OCD please seek appropriate support from a knowledgeable and proficient mental health practitioner.

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