People with obsessive-compulsive disorder can have obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are persistent thoughts, urges or impulses that cause severe anxiety and distress. These can include an irrational fear of germs or contamination, needing everything to be symmetrical, intrusive thoughts about sex or harm, and aggressive thoughts toward others. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors the individual feels overwhelmingly compelled to perform. Compulsions include excessive cleaning, compulsive counting, repetitive behaviors, and constantly making sure everything is in order. Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorders can include the following: ⦁ Difficulty accepting change and uncertainty ⦁ Fear of being contaminated ⦁ Extreme anxiety about imperfections ⦁ Aggressive thoughts (such as thoughts about harming others) ⦁ Unpleasant sexual images ⦁ Situation avoidance ⦁ Aggressive and painful hand washing ⦁ Repeatedly checking doors and stoves ⦁ Rearranging everything in your house perfectly ⦁ Repeating words or phrases in your head ⦁ Counting or repeating number patterns in your head