From MayoClinic.com

In the obsessive-compulsive reaction, the irrational idea or the impulse persistently intrudes into awareness. Obsessions (constantly recurring thoughts such as fears of exposure germs) and compulsions (repetitive actions such as washing hands many times before touching food). Feelings that you must perform rituals such as these over and over again are a strong indication that you have obsessive-compulsive disorder.

If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder, your ritual behaviors may be literally taking over your life. You may strive to hide your condition from friends and co-workers for fear of being labeled crazy.

Doctors once believed obsessive-compulsive disorder was a rare condition, but it's now known to be more common than other severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. An estimated 2 percent to 3 percent of Americans have obsessive-compulsive disorder.

But obsessive-compulsive disorder doesn't affect just adults. The disorder often begins during adolescence or early childhood. About one-third of adult cases begin in childhood.

Although there's no cure for obsessive-compulsive disorder, treatments can help you get the disorder under control.

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