obsessive-compulsive disorder

British  

noun

1.  OCD.  psychiatry an anxiety disorder in which patients are driven to repeat the same act, such as washing their hands, over and over again, usually for many hours

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obsessive-compulsive disorder Scientific  

/ əb-sĕs′ĭv-kəm-pŭl′sĭv /

1. A psychiatric disorder characterized by the persistent intrusion of repetitive, unwanted thoughts which may be accompanied by compulsive actions, such as handwashing. The individual cannot voluntarily prevent these thoughts or actions, which interfere with normal functioning.

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Example Sentences

"In particular, with conditions such as addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder we see a difficulty in breaking habits and shifting behavior. So, understanding the mechanics of behavioral flexibility may one day help us develop better treatments."

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

Her first major contribution to the field of anxiety and fear-based disorders was in the 1970s and ’80s, with a therapy called exposure and response prevention that she used to treat patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Clinicians continue to debate how best to define it, as orthorexia can share features of anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

From Slate • May 25, 2025

In this case, that mainly includes the earnest David, a digital ad salesman and devoted family man with controlled obsessive-compulsive disorder and a low threshold for embarrassment, the latter of which Benji repeatedly tests.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2024

Dexter also had obsessive-compulsive disorder, which Andrea explained often accompanied Tourette’s.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling