Anxiety is a normal and universal human experience, but it can develop into an anxiety disorder when it becomes chronic and severe. OCD, on the other hand, is a specific type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions). Stress and anxiety can exacerbate OCD symptoms or trigger the onset of OCD in individuals already predisposed to the condition, such as those with a family history of OCD. However, not everyone who experiences anxiety will develop OCD.