They experience delusions and or hallucinations. We have already discussed delusions. The predominant symptom in this group of disorders is obviously anxiety. These folks are considered neurotic, not psychotic because they are in touch with reality. These individuals may also have agoraphobia and are afraid to leave their homes.
Agoraphobia means literally fear of open spaces.
These people often find it very difficult to be in a crowd. For example they may get overwhelmed and experience a panic attack in a grocery store. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by recurrent obsessions or intrusive, unwanted thoughts, or compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts which the person feels driven to perform in response to and obsession or according to certain rules or rituals. The individual realizes these thoughts or actions are abnormal or excessive, but feels unable to control them. They are a significant source of distress to the individual or interfere with social functioning.