Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder
National Cancer Institute

obsessive-compulsive disorder

(ob-SEH-siv-kum-PUL-siv dis-OR-der)
An anxiety disorder in which a person has intrusive ideas, thoughts, or images that occur repeatedly, and in which he or she feels driven to perform certain behaviors over and over again. For example, a person may worry all the time about germs and so will wash his or her hands over and over again. Having an obsessive-compulsive disorder may cause a person to have trouble carrying out daily activities.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms