Definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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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.

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