What are obsessions and compulsions? The word obsession comes from the Latin word obsessio-onis, which means "siege". And, in fact, people with this problem feel under siege by their thoughts, image, or impulses.

Obsessions might be defined as persistent ideas, thoughts, images, or impulses that the person experiences (at least initially) as invading. Examples of obsessions could be repetitive and persistent thoughts about that certain objects (doorknobs, public phones, bus seats, etc.) or particular persons are contaminated or dirty and they going to transfer the contamination to oneself. Or sudden images about the possibility of hurting or injuring oneself (by jumping to the train tracks when the train is circulating, by throwing oneself out of a window, etc.) or of hurting others (although the person feels unable to do so). Obsessions may also take the form of recurrent doubts regarding whether or not one has said a swearword without noticing, locked the door, turned off the gas or the iron, etc. Finally, obsessions may also consist of ridiculous and senseless ideas (if the person hears news on the stock market, his/her son will have a car accident). The person may perfectly know that his/her obsessions are senseless, and most of them have tried to resist them some time. However, such tries use to be unsuccessful and the person feels that cannot get rid of thems.

Compulsions are thoughts or behaviors performed in a repetitive way and following certain rules, in response to an obsession. For instance, washing one's hands many times a day using large amounts of soap or even disinfectants, and following a particular order; also checking several times locks, or the iron Other type of compulsions is to mentally repeat certain sentences or phrases to ward off some type of danger; or setting a particular order for the items kept in closets, draws, on the desk or on the shelves. The compulsion (also called ritual) is preceded by a compulsive "urge" and (as in the case of obsessions) is accompanied by a strong will to resist it. However, as in the case of obsessions, such attempts are unsuccessful.

This problem may interfere seriously in different areas of the person's life, such as his/her relationships, his/her academic or work performance or efficiency, his/her leisure activities, etc. For instance, the person may impose strict tidiness rules at home; may hoard magazines, old journals, or bills because he/she thinks may need them in the future; may revise thoroughly a document or report many times to make sure it is well written; may drive back his/her way checking he/she has not run over anyone; may take his/her own cutlery to restaurants, etc.

Until the mid 60's obsessive-compulsive disorder was considered to be very resistant to treatment and with a poor prognosis. Now, there are therapeutic techniques and strategies that have proved effective in the treatment of the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

It might be that while reading this site you identify yourself with the descriptions of the problem provided above. The Test questions inquire about the presence of some of its features. Although they do not substitute the assessment process necessary to establish a clinical diagnosis, they might be considered as a first approach and a preliminary screening of the problem.

If you also experience a significant distress, or any area of your daily life (leisure, work, school, family, etc.) has been affected by this problem, you might be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, remember: this is just a first approach to the assessment process needed before starting any treatment. If you think you might have this problem, seek professional advice so you can decide whether you want or not to receive treatment.