OCD

A strange or upsetting thought can appear out of nowhere, even on an ordinary day. It may be violent, embarrassing, unwanted, sexual, fearful, or completely against a person’s values. For many people, the thought passes quickly. For others, it sticks.

A racing mind can make everyday life feel smaller. So can the urge to check, repeat, wash, count, or seek reassurance until a “just right” feeling appears. Obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders can overlap in real life, which makes them easy to confuse.