Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Symptoms

What are some common obsessions?

The following are some common obsessions:

• Fear of dirt or germs
• Disgust with bodily waste or fluids
• Concern with order, symmetry (balance) and exactness
• Worry that a task has been done poorly, even when the person knows this is not true
• Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts
• Thinking about certain sounds, images, words or numbers all the time
• Need for constant reassurance
• Fear of harming a family member or friend

What are some common compulsions?

The following are some common compulsions:

• Cleaning and grooming, such as washing hands, showering or brushing teeth over and over again
• Checking drawers, door locks and appliances to be sure they are shut, locked or turned off
• Repeating actions, such as going in and out of a door, sitting down and getting up from a chair, or touching certain objects several times
• Ordering and arranging items in certain ways
• Counting to a certain number, over and over
• Saving newspapers, mail or containers when they are no longer needed
• Seeking constant reassurance and approval