Repeated and persistent thoughts (“obsessions”) that typically cause distress and that an individual attempts to alleviate by repeatedly performing specific actions (“compulsions”). Examples of common obsessions include: fear that failing to do things in a particular way will result in harm to self or others, extreme anxiety about being dirty or contaminated by germs, concern about forgetting to do something important that may result in bad outcomes, or obsessions around exactness or symmetry. Examples of common compulsions include: checking (e.g., that the door is locked or for an error), counting or ordering (e.g., money or household items), and performing a mental action (e.g., praying).
- Repetitive, intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety
- Devoting more than an hour a day to the obsessions and/or compulsions
- Experiencing distress because of the obsessions and/or compulsions
- Interference of the obsessions and/or compulsions with work or social interactions