obsessive-compulsive
Stuck on repetition
Obsessive-compulsive describes a pattern of intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety (compulsions).
The clinical term appears in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition involving rituals like excessive handwashing or checking locks.
Informally, it describes anyone meticulous to an extreme: She's obsessive-compulsive about organizing her closet.
Compulsive repetition disorder
- intrusive thoughtsInvoluntary disturbing mental content
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- cognitive-behavioral therapyTreatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- psychiatryMental health medicine
mental disorder · psychological assessment · fluoxetine · sertraline · paroxetine · psychoeducation · diagnosis · therapy
Act of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
- hoardingExcessive accumulation of goods
- orderingPlacing in sequence
- arrangingSystematically positioning elements
symmetry · tapping · touching · washing · repeating · rituals · hand-washing · cleaning
Involuntary disturbing mental content
- worryTroubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
panic · unease · tension · nervousness · apprehension · agitation · overwhelm · catastrophizing
Introduction of impurities
- germsMicroscopic disease agents
- washingCleaning with liquid
- sanitizingEliminating harmful microorganisms
- disinfectingKilling bacteria and viruses
scrubbing · sterilizing · hygiene · handwashing · showering · avoidance · disgust · purity
Showing extreme attention to detail
- exactingDemanding great care
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
perfectionist · precision · uncompromising · punctilious · overachiever · flawless · impeccable · exactness
Methodical arrangement of things
- regimentationStrict systematic control
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- predictabilityCapacity to be anticipated
rigidity · inflexibility · strictness · restraint · discipline · regulation · containment · micromanaging
OCD
Compulsive repetition disorder
- intrusive thoughtsInvoluntary disturbing mental content
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- cognitive-behavioral therapyTreatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
psychiatry · mental disorder · psychological assessment · fluoxetine · sertraline · paroxetine · psychoeducation · diagnosis · therapy · treatment
checking
Act of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
- hoardingExcessive accumulation of goods
- orderingPlacing in sequence
arranging · symmetry · tapping · touching · washing · repeating · rituals · hand-washing · cleaning · organizing
intrusive thoughts
Involuntary disturbing mental content
distress · panic · unease · tension · nervousness · apprehension · agitation · overwhelm · catastrophizing · rumination
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- germsMicroscopic disease agents
- washingCleaning with liquid
- sanitizingEliminating harmful microorganisms
disinfecting · scrubbing · sterilizing · hygiene · handwashing · showering · avoidance · disgust · purity · decontamination
meticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
- exactingDemanding great care
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
detail-oriented · perfectionist · precision · uncompromising · punctilious · overachiever · flawless · impeccable · exactness · rigidity
orderliness
Methodical arrangement of things
- regimentationStrict systematic control
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
predictability · rigidity · inflexibility · strictness · restraint · discipline · regulation · containment · micromanaging · rule-bound
obsessive-compulsiveeasygoing
Relaxed in temperament
flexible · carefree · unneurotic · adaptable · relaxed
obsessive-compulsivecarefree
Free from anxiety
unworried · unconcerned · serene · calm · at ease
obsessive-compulsivespontaneous
Arising without external cause
impulsive · freewheeling · unstructured · improvisational · disorganized
obsession, obsessed, obsessive, compulsory, compulsion, compulsive, obsessing, obsessions, obsessively