Generally, individuals with OCD are able to acknowledge the excessive or unnecessary nature of their symptoms, although in severe cases this insight may be lost. Other frequent fears are that one may somehow be responsible for something terrible happening, like a fire, a death or a burglary, by forgetting to check things like the stove or door, or sometimes by forgetting to engage in superstitious behaviours like touching wood. Often, obsessions may have disturbing religious or sexual themes. Often there is associated doubting about everything one thinks, says or does. OCD sufferers have difficulty throwing things out, and may feel compelled to check an envelope many times or perhaps even rip it open and spread it out completely before throwing it out.
Depression is extremely common, occurring in up to two-thirds of cases.
Along with these emotions comes anger, frustration, irritability, insomnia and withdrawal from social circles. Some women with OCD also display a compulsion to pull out their hair or to bite their nails severely. Many individuals who suffer from OCD have also one or more chronic tics or uncontrollable muscular twitches. Just 10 years ago, people suffering from OCD usually had to live with their disorder with little hope for treatment or recovery. Who Couldn't Stop Washing.