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Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD is marked by intrusive thoughts that cause a lot of distress (obsessions) and behaviours or mental rituals repeated to ease it (compulsions).
Common signs
- Unwanted thoughts that keep coming back
- Excessive checking, washing, ordering or counting
- Mental rituals or a need to neutralise thoughts
- Constantly seeking reassurance
- A lot of time lost to rituals
Having some of these signs doesn't mean you have the disorder: only a professional can make a diagnosis.
Why does it happen?
Biological factors play a part, along with learning in which the ritual relieves anxiety in the short term and keeps it going in the long term.
How is it diagnosed?
Clinical interview and specific scales measuring obsessions, compulsions and how much they interfere.
Treatment
Exposure and response prevention within cognitive behavioural therapy is the benchmark psychological treatment, sometimes combined with medication.
Want some guidance? Take the OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) test: free, 2-3 minutes.
We're here for you at Clínica Vivaldi
Registered psychologists at Calle Chiva 25 (Valencia) and online across Spain. First appointment with no waiting list; we work with psychiatry and nutrition when needed.
Educational content based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment. Reviewed by the Clínica Vivaldi team, November 2026.