What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)? For me, it is hand washing. I also think of people repeatedly checking their homes before leaving to make sure all the windows and doors are locked, the coffee pot is off, etc. Let’s just say I once had a close friend who exhibited some of these behaviors—specifically the house checking. 

OCD, as portrayed on TV and in movies, usually involves hand washing, counting, ordering and organizing. However, the truth of the matter is people with OCD may have obsessions and/or compulsions, hence the name. Individuals suffering from OCD may exhibit compulsive behaviors like hand washing and organizing, but they may also have obsessions—recurrent thoughts or images that cause anxiety and distress. These obsessive thoughts are not just extreme worries about ordinary problems. They are intrusive, ongoing and can become physically and emotionally paralyzing.