Obsessions and Compulsions (OCD)

Persistent unwanted thoughts that lead to repeated, irrational behaviors are called obsessions and compulsions. For example, some people feel they must wash their hands hundreds of times each day, must count to ten every time they enter or leave a room, must check the locks on their doors repeatedly every night, or must engage in any number of behaviors that have no real purpose - other than to manage the anxiety felt when the person does not give in to these impulses.