Obsessive compulsive disorder (or OCD) is characterised by:

a) Obsessions: Thoughts, urges, or images that cause anxiety and

b) Compulsions: Attempts to suppress the obsessions by performing repetitive behaviours (e.g., hand washing, placing things in an order, or checking things) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, or repeating words silently).

People feel driven to perform the compulsions in an attempt to prevent or reduce anxiety or prevent some unwanted event from happening. These symptoms tend to be incredibly time consuming (at least one hour per day) and distressing for people. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is highly effective at managing these kinds of obsessions and reducing these kinds of compulsions