What is OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages and walks of life, and occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease his or her distress. Most people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their lives, but that does not mean that we all have “some OCD.” In order for a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder to be made, this cycle of obsessions and compulsions becomes so extreme that it consumes a lot of time and gets in the way of important activities that the person values.

For more information on OCD and related disorders as well as their causes, prevalence, and treatment, click the button below.

More about OCD

WHAT IF YOUR NOT ALONE?

A Penny For Your Intrusive Thoughts is a project that lets people with OCD anonymously share their isolating intrusive thoughts to help others know they are not alone.

CHECK OUT SOME THOUGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED ALREADY.