Have you ever met people who, when leaving the house, repeatedly check if doors are locked or appliances are turned off? Or those who constantly wash their hands for a long time? Or those who for no apparent reason repeat the same word or number over and over? Or people who arrange their bookshelves perfectly in a certain order?

There is a big possibility that these people are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. When it comes to OCD, most people do not consider these types of behavioral quirks to be a big deal, but it is in fact, a very serious condition. These disturbing thoughts and repetitive actions cause OCD patients constant mental distress and deep suffering. So, what causes OCD? What are the signs and symptoms of OCD? What kind of negative impact can OCD have on one’s life? And is there an effective way to treat OCD?