Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence in the consciousness of recurrent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive impulses or actions (compulsions) toward which the person feels a strong inner resistance. The subject feels an urge to perform certain acts, but he recognizes that they are sickly, while experiencing a strong internal resistance not to make them.

Patients with OCD recognize that the obsessives ideas that come to their head are absurd and they make much effort trying to banish them from his mind. Often their efforts may have some success, but it is not durable, since ideas tend to come back again soon after.

Sometimes both the compulsive ideas as the compulsive acts are experienced as an urge to do something aggressive, shameful or obscene.

Although subjects with this disorder Obsessive-Compulsive recognize the absurdity of the obsessions and resist putting it into action, all the process is accompanied by great anxiety.

This type of obsessive-compulsive symptoms tend to be very resilient, but can be cured by psychotherapy.

(Edited by Dr. María Moya Guirao, MD)