Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “is a common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, [recurring] thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.”The Mayo Clinic writes that OCD “features a pattern of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.”Trying to ignore or stop obsessions and compulsions only increases one’s distress and anxiety, the Mayo Clinic explains. Because of this, people with OCD will feel compelled to carry out acts of compulsion to ease their stress. Unfortunately, this does not stop irritating or bothersome thoughts or urges; they just return.What results is ritualistic behavior, and this behavior traps people in what Mayo Clinic describes as the “vicious cycle of OCD.”