This is a neurochemical Disorder. It is defined as recurring, un-wanted thoughts or worries. Compulsions are activities or rituals an individual may perform to relieve the anxiety brought on by obsessions.
OCD can range from mild to very debilitating. Some might not be able to act "normally" or be able to function at all in social settings.
There are several subdivisions of OCD.... washers, checkers, cleaners, hoarders, repeaters, orderers, and pure obsessives.
> Washers - have a fear of dirt, germs, or contamination.Washers that are compulsive can spend hours washing themselves, trying to rid the "contamination". They may avoid contact with things to prevent being "contaminated". Also, they believe that the contaminant can spread from object to object without actual physical contact.
> Cleaners - Spend much time cleaning their surroundings, e.g. - a cleaner might spend hours dusting their house, than start again as soon as they have finished, due to the dust having settled.
> Checkers - Seem to have a problem remembering or being sure that they have or have not done something. They will go back to check over and over to see if they have or have not.
> Hoaders - Collect things, just about anything. They can not even stand to throw garbage away.
> Repeaters - Compelled to due things a "right" number of times. This could serve to protect them from an imagined danger, or prevent harm to a family member or themselves. They fear if they do not do things the "right" number of times, something bad will happen. Some may just have to do things "just right" for no apparent reason.
> Orderers - Have things organized absolutely "the right way". They may be reluctant to allow anyone to touch their possessions, in case they are dis-arranged. They might spend hours aligning or straightening.
> Pure Obsessives - The most difficult to treat. They suffer from obsessive thoughts of a disturbing nature.
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