Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by thoughts and behaviors which are uncontrollable and would be deemed excessive. These "intrusive" thoughts and behaviors are associated with inordinate amounts of anxiety.

Common Symptoms:

• Cleaning or washing of hands or bodies or other areas of their surroundings
• Fear of contamination by germs or other contaminants
• Repeated checking to make sure appliances are turned off or doors are locked. Other repetitious behavior such as circling the block in the car to make certain the bump in the road was not something they ran over
• Hoarding of items such as magazines or other publications or other items which may have no value
• Repeating behaviors such as counting or words or phrases repeated