OCD

abbreviation or noun

ˌō-ˌsē-'dē 

: a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions or compulsions or both that cause significant distress, are time-consuming, and interfere with normal daily functioning : obsessive-compulsive disorder

The subjects of the experiment were 18 people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—unwanted and pointless but irresistible intrusive thoughts (e.g., fear of contamination by germs) and repetitive actions (e.g., handwashing or change-counting).

—The Harvard Medical School Mental Health Letter

OCD is a mental health condition that "involves both obsessions and compulsions that take up a lot of time and get in the way of important activities, such as school, family life, extracurricular activities, developing friendships, and self-care," according to the International OCD Foundation.

—Sarah D. Collins

Examples of OCD in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Questionnaires used for anxiety, ADHD, depression, and OCD could indicate that someone possesses some characteristics of maladaptive daydreaming. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025

Her memoir My Good Side —which includes revelations about her experience with OCD, her husband Brock Davies cheating on her while pregnant, and her own reflections on past relationships—reveals a woman who’s no longer hiding behind party life or tabloid headlines. —Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025

Regardless, the findings provide potential biomarkers that could be used to improve OCD treatment via DBS. —New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025

Smith acknowledged the effect OCD had on his on-field performance last year. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Medical Definition

OCD

abbreviation or noun

ˌō-ˌsē-ˈdē 

: a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions or compulsions or both that cause significant distress, are time-consuming, and interfere with normal daily functioning : obsessive-compulsive disorder

Childhood and adolescent obsessive-compulsive disorders are sometimes seen in dermatology practice. When present, OCD is most frequently manifested in younger patients as trichotillomania …

—J. Y. Koo and L. L. Smith, Pediatric Dermatology

… drugs such as Prozac help relieve the symptoms of OCD, but 90 percent of medicated patients relapse when the drugs are withdrawn. More effective is behavioral therapy, which has a cure rate of up to 80 percent.

—Josie Glausiusz, Discover