What is O.C.D.?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is not just a fancy way of saying your aunt is a neat freak. It's a serious mental health condition characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that are totally not annoying to those around you.

Common symptoms include:

• Spending an excessive amount of time thinking about germs, dirt, or dust
• Engaging in excessive cleaning or handwashing rituals
• Arranging items in a very specific, symmetrical pattern

Don't worry, it's not like you're doomed to spend the rest of your life stuck in a hamster wheel of anxiety. With the right treatment, you can learn to manage your symptoms and live a mostly normal life.

But, let's be real, there's a fine line between "mostly normal" and "totally normal". It's a journey, man.

See also:

• Manifestations of OCD
• Subtypes of OCD