Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, poses challenges, not the least of which is making sure you don’t let your OCD define you. If OCD is part of your life, make the effort to focus on other health needs as well. Learn about what the disorder is and the many forms it takes so that you can start overcoming the disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be a highly distressing and disabling psychiatric problem. It’s characterized by unwanted recurrent, intrusive thoughts, impulses or images that cause marked distress.OCD is also characterized by compulsions — (often repeated) behaviors and/or mental acts in response to obsessions aimed at reducing distress or doubt or preventing harm to self or others.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be a distressing and disabling psychiatric problem. It’s characterized by unwanted repetitive, intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that create great distress. OCD is also characterized by compulsions and behaviors aimed at reducing stress or doubt or preventing harm to self or others.

People with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) have recurring obsessions — intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that are disturbing and cause distress. OCD sufferers also have compulsions — actions or words they use to reduce the distress brought on by their obsessive worries. Compulsions can include repetitive prayers, counting, touching things in certain ways, checking, and arranging items in special symmetrical ways.

If you live with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), you may feel frustrated, isolated, and just plain strange. Keep the following facts in mind, or on a card to carry with you, as you go about your daily life: OCD obsessions and compulsions do not define who you are; you are not your OCD. Seeking reassurance when you have obsessional worries only makes things worse.

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) can be categorized in quite a few ways, and no clear consensus exists among professionals. However, the following list shows some of the most common forms that this strange disorder takes: Contamination: Fears of dirt, germs, and various kinds of toxins. Contamination worries frequently lead to excessive focus on cleanliness and hand-washing.

Although possibly one of the best decisions you’ll ever make, freeing yourself from OCD is a challenging project. Here are some things to think about, informed by experiences of other people recovering from OCD, that may help you on your road to recovery. Acknowledging you are individual: Everyone’s experience of OCD is different, and there is no single right way to overcome it.