10 Common Signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Discover the 10 most common signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Learn about obsessions, compulsions, treatment options, and when to seek professional help.
Written by Dr. Rohinipriyanka Pondugula
Reviewed by Dr. D Bhanu Prakash MBBS, AFIH, Advanced certificate in critical care medicine, Fellowship in critical care medicine
Last updated on 23rd Sep, 2025
Introduction
Do you ever double-check if the stove is off? Or prefer your books arranged neatly on a shelf? These common habits are often mistakenly labelled as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In reality, OCD is a serious mental health condition characterised by a debilitating cycle of unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate the intense anxiety these thoughts cause. It's not a personality quirk but a clinically recognised anxiety disorder that can significantly impair daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. This article will demystify this condition by exploring the ten most common signs of OCD, helping you distinguish between everyday worries and the patterns that may indicate a need for professional support. Understanding these signs is the first step towards reclaiming control and well-being.
What is OCD? Understanding the Cycle of Anxiety
OCD is more than just a desire for order; it's a vicious and self-perpetuating cycle of fear and ritual. The core mechanism involves an obsession triggering extreme anxiety, which is temporarily relieved by a compulsion. This relief is short-lived, reinforcing the power of the obsession and ensuring the cycle repeats, often with increasing intensity.
The Role of Obsessions: The Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts
Obsessions are persistent, uncontrollable thoughts, images, or urges that cause profound distress or disgust. They are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems but are often irrational and ego-dystonic (meaning they feel alien and are opposed to the person's true values). A person with harm obsessions, for example, is often a gentle individual horrified by the violent thoughts their brain generates.
The Role of Compulsions: The Temporary Relief
Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession. The goal is to reduce the distress or prevent a feared event. However, these actions are not connected in a realistic way to the problem they are intended to neutralise (e.g., tapping a doorframe three times to prevent a family member's death) or are clearly excessive. This is what differentiates a compulsive behaviour from a rational action.
The 5 Most Common Types of Obsessive Thoughts
1. Contamination Obsessions
This is one of the most recognisable types of obsessive thoughts. It involves an intense, irrational fear of being contaminated by germs, dirt, chemicals, or illness. The fear isn't rational; it can extend to touching doorknobs, shaking hands, or even thinking about a "dirty" object.
2. Harm Obsessions
These involve fears of harming oneself or others, often accidentally. Thoughts might include "What if I push someone in front of a train?" or "Did I hit someone with my car and not realise it?" The person has no desire to act on these thoughts, which makes them all the more frightening.
3. Symmetry and Orderliness Obsessions
A need for things to be perfectly symmetrical, balanced, or arranged "just right." This goes beyond a preference; intense anxiety arises if objects are uneven or misaligned, disrupting the person's ability to function until it's fixed.
4. Forbidden or Taboo Thoughts
These are often sexually or religiously aggressive intrusive thoughts that are shocking and unacceptable to the person experiencing them. Examples include unwanted sexual thoughts about relatives, strangers, or blasphemous thoughts in a religious person.
5. Responsibility Obsessions
An overwhelming fear of being responsible for a catastrophic event due to not being careful enough (e.g., causing a fire by not checking the stove, or being responsible for a burglary by not locking the door perfectly).
The 5 Most Common Types of Compulsive Behaviours
1. Cleaning and Washing Compulsions
Driven by contamination fears, this can involve washing hands until they are raw, spending hours showering, or excessively cleaning household surfaces. The ritual is never truly satisfying, as the fear of contamination returns quickly.
2. Checking Compulsions
Linked to harm or responsibility obsessions, this involves repeatedly checking stoves, locks, appliances, or even rereading emails to ensure no mistake was made that could lead to disaster. A person might drive back to their house multiple times to check if the door is locked.
3. Repeating and Counting Compulsions
Repeating a routine action a certain number of times (e.g., turning the light switch on and off seven times) or counting to a "safe" number to neutralise a bad thought. The counting must be done perfectly, or the person may feel compelled to start over.
4. Ordering and Arranging Compulsions
Arranging items like books or cans in a pantry until they feel "just right" or perfectly symmetrical. This is done to alleviate the anxiety caused by symmetry obsessions, not for aesthetics.
5. Mental Compulsions
These are internal rituals. They can include mental reviewing (replaying events to ensure no harm was done), praying to cancel out a bad thought, or silently repeating words or phrases to feel safe. Because they happen invisibly, this form of OCD can be harder to spot.
Beyond the Stereotypes; Lesser-Known Signs of OCD
OCD isn't always about visible cleaning or checking. Symptoms of OCD in adults can include:
Reassurance Seeking: Constantly asking others for validation ("Are you sure I locked the door?" "Do I look sick?").
Avoidance: Avoiding entire situations, places, or people that trigger obsessions (e.g., avoiding kitchens for fear of knives, or avoiding hospitals for fear of germs).
Hoarding: Difficulty discarding items due to perceived need or fear of losing something important (distinct from Hoarding Disorder).
Rumination: Getting stuck in a loop of overthinking philosophical or metaphysical questions with no clear answer.
OCD vs. Perfectionism; Knowing the Difference
The key difference lies in impact and motivation. A perfectionist may strive for a high standard and feel pleased with a neat desk. A person with OCD vs being tidy is driven by intense anxiety and fear. The ordering compulsion is a mandatory act to prevent a feeling of impending doom or overwhelming discomfort, not a source of pleasure. Their day is disrupted if they cannot perform the ritual.
When to Seek Help?
The defining feature of a common obsessive compulsive disorder is significant disruption. If these thoughts and behaviours:
Consume more than one hour per day.
Cause you significant distress.
Interfere with your work, social, or family responsibilities.
...it is time to seek help. If these symptoms persist and impact your quality of life, consulting a mental health professional online with Apollo24|7 for a preliminary evaluation can be a helpful first step.
How is OCD Treated? Hope for Recovery
OCD is highly treatable. Most treatment plans involve a combination of therapy and, sometimes, medication.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
The gold standard for OCD treatment is a specific type of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP involves gradually exposing the person to their feared thoughts or situations without allowing the compulsive ritual to follow. Through this process, the brain learns that the anxiety will decrease on its own and that the feared outcome does not occur.
Medication
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, are commonly prescribed at higher doses to help reduce the intensity of the obsessions and the urge to perform compulsions by regulating brain chemistry.
Conclusion
Recognising the common signs of obsessive compulsive disorder is a powerful act of self-awareness. It's crucial to remember that you are not your thoughts. The disturbing, intrusive nature of OCD obsessions is a symptom of a medical condition, not a reflection of your character or desires. While the journey can feel isolating, you are not alone. Millions of people manage this condition and lead full, rich lives. Effective, evidence-based treatments like ERP offer profound hope and recovery. Taking that first step to talk to a mental health professional can be the beginning of breaking the cycle and reclaiming your life from anxiety. If your condition does not improve after trying self-help methods, consider booking a physical visit to a psychiatrist with Apollo24|7 for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you develop OCD later in life?
Yes, while it often starts in adolescence or early adulthood, OCD can onset at any age, including childhood and later life.
Are intrusive thoughts a sign of OCD?
Yes, but it's important to note that everyone has intrusive thoughts sometimes. In OCD, these thoughts are persistent, cause extreme distress, and lead to compulsions to neutralise them.
What is the best treatment for OCD?
The most effective, evidence-based treatment is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Medication, typically SSRIs, can also be very helpful, often in combination with therapy.
Is OCD related to anxiety?
Yes, OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder. The compulsions are primarily performed to reduce the intense anxiety generated by the obsessive thoughts.
How can I help someone with OCD?
Educate yourself, be patient and supportive without participating in their rituals (giving reassurance is a common compulsion). Encourage them to seek professional help and offer to help them find a therapist who specialises in ERP.