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

Many neurological and psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and some forms of brain injury, can make it difficult for people to apply existing skills in new situations.

From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2025

From a diagnostic standpoint, it overlaps with obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and trauma-related syndromes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

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

More than eight million people in England are taking antidepressants, for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other conditions - a million more than five years ago.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 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