OCD Banbury

Obsessions are involuntary, uncontrollable recurrent thoughts or images in a person's mind. These often lead to equally uncontrollable impulses which may lead to inappropriate and/or repetitive behaviour. The individual does not want to have these ideas, usually finds them disturbing and intrusive, and can recognize that they aren't based in commono sense.

A compulsion is a repetitive behavior - a ritual - that a person feels driven to do and cannot seem to stop doing. Compulsions represent an attempt to manage an obsession by doing something to resolve it.

For example, if someone is obsessed with being contaminated, that person might develop elaborate hand-washing rituals. If an obsessive worry is whether or not the door was locked, then a compulsive response might be to check the lock a certain number of times before leaving the house or going to bed.

The ritual is meant to bring relief from the anxiety caused by the obsession, though the ritual itself can cause anxiety if it becomes too demanding or time-consuming. Even if the ritual eases the discomfort caused by the obsession, it will probably return, and the person with OCD feels compelled to repeat the behaviors over and over again.

(This description is taken from the Helpguide organisation site, a link to which can be found below for more complete information).