What it means
Obsessions are thoughts, urges or images that keep coming back and cause anxiety, such as fear of germs. Compulsions are actions or mental rituals the person repeats to ease that anxiety, such as handwashing, checking or counting. The rituals take a lot of time and get in the way of daily life, and the person often knows they are excessive but cannot stop.
For the nurse
Do not stop a ritual suddenly: that raises anxiety. Allow time for it at first, then help the client limit it gradually as the care plan sets, and make sure rituals do not harm the skin or keep the client from eating and sleeping. Treatment includes therapy (exposure and response prevention) and medicines such as SSRIs.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | OCD |
|---|---|
| Spanish | trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo |
| Also written | OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder |
Related terms
psych/o
A word root that means mind.
post-traumatic stress disorder
A mental health condition that develops after a person lives through or sees a terrifying event.