What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Also known as: OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common chronic mental health disorder in children, most being diagnosed in adolescence or young adulthood, characterized by the almost uncontrollable urge to repeat the same behaviors (compulsions) or have the same thoughts (obsessions) or emotions over and over again such that they interfere with day-to-day functioning.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM