Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is a common, long-lasting and chronic disorder. A person suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder suffers from uncontrollable and reoccurring thoughts or rather, obsessions. Patients tend to develop behaviors or compulsions that make them perform a given task over and over again. If a person thinks they have obsessive-compulsive disorder, then they must talk to a doctor and tell them about their symptoms. If obsessive compulsion disorder is left untreated, then it may start interfering with one’s life sooner rather than later.

Signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder
There are various signs and symptoms that can be seen in people having obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are symptoms like compulsions, obsessions and in some cases, both are seen.

Obsessions
These are reoccurring urges, thoughts or mental images formed by the suffering person himself or herself. These give rise to anxiety. The common symptoms are:

• Aggressive behavior towards others, self or both.
• Terrible fear of contamination of germs.
• Making or having things that are in a symmetrical manner or are in perfect order.
• Unwanted taboo or are reluctant towards religion, sex, and harm.
• They feel they might hurt someone.

Compulsions
It is the tendency of showing repetitive behaviors as a response to an obsessive thought. The various symptoms are:

• Counting something over and over again.
• Arranging and ordering things in a particular manner.
• Constantly checking on things, for example, checking if the fridge door is closed properly or if the stove is off.
• Excessive hand washing, cleaning, dusting, or all of them.

There is nothing wrong with double checking things, as it is good for one’s safety. But when they are compulsive, it can be a problem. There are other signs that a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder might show.

• The person spends at least an hour every day thinking about these thoughts.
• The person has to face significant problems that arise due to such behavior in their daily life.
• The person has no interest in performing rituals and does not get any pleasure too. But they might get relief from anxiety by performing those.
• They are unable to control their behavior or thoughts.

Certain people with the obsessive-compulsive disorder also have a tic disorder.

Motor Tic Disorder
This includes sudden, repetitive and brief movements like facial grimacing, eye blinking and other eye-related movements, shoulder or head jerks, shoulder shrugging.

Vocal Tic Disorder
It includes repetitive throat clearing, grunting, sniffing or clearing sound.

The symptoms of the obsessive-compulsive disorder may come and go over time. It’s different for different people. There are chances that the symptoms might stay and over time, get worse. The best way to ease the symptoms over time is by avoiding situations that can trigger the patient’s obsession. Moreover, one must not use any sort of drugs or alcohol to cope with the symptoms or situation. Rather, consulting a therapist can help immensely and help you slowly get back to a normal life.