Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) By Katharine Anne Phillips, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College; Dan J Stein, MD, PhD, University of Cape Town Reviewed / Revised Jun 2023 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points Topic Resources Overview of Obsessive-Compulsive... Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) and / or by repetitive behaviors or repetitive mental acts that patients feel driven to do (compulsions, rituals) to try to lessen or prevent the anxiety the obsessions cause.