Coercion
Everyone has thoughts that linger from time to time or finds themselves checking once more whether the door is locked. Fixed habits or rituals are also common. Usually, these thoughts or actions disappear of their own accord and have little impact on daily life.
Sometimes, however, thoughts or actions take up so much time, energy or attention that they start to affect how you live your life. You may notice that certain thoughts keep coming back, even when you don’t want to think about them. Or you may feel a strong urge to do things in a specific way, such as checking, counting or cleaning. These actions often provide temporary relief or reduce tension, but afterwards the thoughts or restlessness usually return.
Compulsive behaviours can be very energy-sapping and can affect work, study, family life and relationships with others.
What is it?
If you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, you experience obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours that keep recurring and are difficult to stop.
Obsessive thoughts are thoughts, images or doubts that pop into your head uninvited. These obsessive thoughts can cause anxiety, fear or shame.
Compulsive behaviours are actions that you repeat over and over again in exactly the same way. You feel that you have to do this to reduce anxiety or to prevent something bad from happening. Examples include checking, counting, organising or excessive cleaning. A compulsive behaviour often provides temporary relief. This can lead to the urge to repeat the behaviour over and over again. In the longer term, the anxiety and restlessness usually persist.
If obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours have a significant impact on your daily life, you may be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is also known as OCD.
