Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental illness (psychiatric disorder) that is characterized by distressing intrusive obsessive thoughts and fears and/or repetitive compulsive actions (rituals) that are done to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress, not to provide pleasure or gratification. It is a lifelong mental illness and recovery from it is gradual and ongoing treatment is necessary to help prevent relapses.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed., text revision. Washington, DC; American Psychiatric Association; 2000:462.
