Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) carried out to reduce anxiety or prevent something bad from happening.

While OCD is often associated in the media with excessive cleaning or handwashing, that is only one possible presentation. OCD can also involve checking, needing things to feel “just right,” fears of harming others, intrusive taboo sexual or religious thoughts, relationship doubts, or worries about contamination and illness.

Compulsions are undertaken in an attempt to neutralise distress and these are not always visible; they can be mental rituals such as silently repeating words, counting, excessively analysing the meaning of thoughts, or seeking reassurance online, as well as more physical behaviours like checking or washing. Avoiding situations can also be a part of OCD for many people.