Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is marked by unwanted and distressing thoughts, mental images or urges (obsessions), and physical or mental acts, or rituals, which the individual undertakes to relieve their anxiety (compulsions).
Common obsessions include thoughts about: contamination; harm coming to oneself or others; the need for symmetry/exactness; the need to keep or save things; and upsetting sexual, violent/aggressive, or religious thoughts or images.
Common compulsions include: cleaning; hand-washing; ordering/arranging; hoarding; counting; checking; touching; repeating; and confessing.
While some of these behaviours are common, such as washing one’s hands, it is when the behaviour becomes excessive and interruptive to your daily activities that help may be needed. Fortunately, good treatments are available to help with this problem.