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

See Examples For:

obsessive-compulsive disorder

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, she described the debilitating nature of her obsessive-compulsive disorder, revealing that she was “barely” able to function when the condition was at its worst.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

Tan compared Beijing’s sensitivity to any suggestion of a Taiwan distinct from China to an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Last year, he starred in the romantic drama “Turtles All the Way Down,” the film adaptation of John Green’s young adult novel that explores the complexities of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2025

She weaned him off clozapine entirely in 2018 and Cauchi also stopped taking medication to treat his obsessive-compulsive disorder the year after, she said.

From BBC ● May 30, 2025

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

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