Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) are a group of mental health conditions that cause obsessions and compulsions. For people with OCD, these thoughts and urges are more than just a nuisance — they’re often debilitating. They can interfere with work, school or relationships and cause significant distress. In fact, OCD can be so severe that some people have to seek help in hospital.

OCD symptoms start in childhood or adolescence for about half of people who live with the condition. But most don’t get diagnosed until adulthood, and many who do try to overcome the problem themselves for years.

Anxiety and a feeling that things have to be “just right” are key symptoms of OCD. OCD can also cause a fear of contamination, which leads to repetitive actions like washing your hands over and over again. This can lead to skin irritation and a deterioration of the skin’s natural barrier. Other common fears are a concern that you might hurt someone else or be violent, and obsessions about time and order.

Keeping track of obsessive thoughts and worries can help you identify how repetitive they are. And by anticipating your compulsive urges, you can take steps to resist them. For example, if your OCD triggers you to check that doors are locked or appliances are turned off, instead of doing it 20 times in a row, try to lock the door or turn off the appliance with extra attention the first time. This can make it easier to stop the urge later on.

Research has shown that some factors are more likely to increase your chance of developing OCD, such as having a first-degree relative who’s been diagnosed with the disorder. Personality traits, like difficulty handling uncertainty and a sense of responsibility, may also be at play. And changes in certain parts of your brain have been linked to OCD by medical imaging studies.

There are different types of OCD, including scrupulosity, which includes religious or sexual obsessions and compulsions. Relationship OCD, meanwhile, involves doubts and questions about your relationship or a partner. Pure O, on the other hand, has obsessions that are neither sex nor morally motivated.

For some people, psychotherapy can be effective in relieving OCD symptoms. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure response prevention and a number of other approaches. In addition, a number of different medications can help treat OCD symptoms, including antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

OCD is not a life-threatening condition, but it can seriously disrupt your daily functioning. With treatment, however, most people with OCD can be cured or achieve a good quality of life. To learn more, visit the NIMH’s Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder page. Also, check out our guide to managing OCD. And if you’re struggling to cope, talk with a therapist through BetterHelp. You’ll be matched with a licensed, experienced and vetted therapist in less than 48 hours. Start your journey to recovery today.