Clutter. Disorganization. Inefficiency. You might think these are just the by-products of a busy life, but they can indicate something more serious—obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The condition is characterized by recurring thoughts and behaviors that create anxiety, obsessions, or compulsions. 

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Having an obsessive-compulsive disorder is a lot like having other anxiety disorders—not everyone handles it the same way. But there are some common signs that most people suffering from OCD have.

Think you might have OCD? Here are some of the signs to look for:

Obsessions

Obsessions are thoughts, images, or urges that keep repeating in your mind over and over. They might seem like pleasurable ideas, but they're distressing because you find them repulsive or immoral. You may feel ashamed or disgusted by these thoughts, but you can't control them. You try to push them out of your mind in an attempt to get rid of the anxiety they cause.

People with OCD respond to persistent thoughts, impulses, or images in one of two ways: by trying to ignore them or by trying to neutralize them.

Trying to ignore the obsession doesn't work for people with OCD because their minds are fixated on the unwanted thought. They can't get it out of their heads.

Trying to neutralize an obsession is more effective for people with OCD than ignoring the obsession. Neutralizing involves doing something routine (like hand washing) to get rid of unwanted thoughts. This is why you might see someone with OCD wash their hands several times a day or constantly check if they locked the door before they left the house.

People who have OCD may experience obsessions about anything and everything—contamination, aggression, sex, religion, etc.—and they may experience multiple obsessions at any given time. The content of obsessions isn't as important as how they make you feel. If you feel distressed by your obsessive thoughts and would like them to stop but can't control them on your own, you must see a professional who specializes in OCD treatment.

Compulsions

Compulsions are rituals that an individual needs to perform in a set way. Compulsions can be either mental or physical activities. They may also be habits like nail biting or hair pulling.

The compulsion will usually relieve feelings of anxiety, tension, or discomfort experienced by the person with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The performed activity can be something small, but the person with OCD feels the need to continue doing it because they think it is important.

You can learn to recognize the signs of compulsion, so you can work toward overcoming them.

The more compulsive behaviors you notice in yourself, the more likely you are to have OCD. It's normal to have some compulsions, but they shouldn't be so frequent or severe that they interfere with your daily activities and relationships.

Check off the statements below that describe how often you engage in compulsive behaviors:

I check things over and over again.

I wash my hands frequently during the day.

I spend a lot of time thinking about a certain event or activity before beginning it.

I repeat routine activities such as cleaning or getting dressed over and over.