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

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

At the same time, severe OCD, intrusive thoughts and uncontrollable crying spells took a major toll on Cust’s mental health. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026

The treatable conditions can include depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis. —Breana Pitts, CBS News, 11 May 2026

People with a severe panic or anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) should consult with a healthcare provider before trying a panic pouch or other at-home strategies for mental health disorders in place of a medical treatment plan. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Throughout high school, Zach has managed the challenges of OCD with remarkable strength, maintaining a strong GPA while prioritizing his well-being. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

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drugs such as Prozac help relieve the symptoms of OCD, but 90 percent of medicated patients relapse when the drugs are withdrawn.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