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Criterion A

• Obsessions, compulsions, or both are present.
• Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted and usually cause anxiety or distress.
• The person attempts to ignore, suppress, or neutralize obsessions with another thought or action.
• Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules.
• The compulsions are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or some dreaded event or situation, but are either not realistically connected to what they are designed to prevent or are clearly excessive.

Criterion B

• Obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming or cause clinically significant distress or impairment.

Criterion C

• The symptoms are not due to substances or another medical condition.

Criterion D

• The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder such as GAD, body dysmorphic disorder, illness anxiety disorder, or psychosis.

Related Guides

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms and Signs
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scales and Assessment Tools
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatments and Medications
• When to Seek Professional Help for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder