This is definitely OCD.
Who does OCD affect?
OCD can affect anyone. The average age of onset is 19 years. About 50% of people with OCD begin to have symptoms in childhood and adolescence.
It’s rare for someone to develop OCD after the age of 40.
How common is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is relatively common. It affects 1.6% to 2.3% of the general U.S. population.
Symptoms and Causes
Obsession examples are fear of germs or dirt and fear of making a mistake. A compulsion example is repeatedly checking things
OCD is usually a life-long condition, but symptoms can come and go over time.
What are the symptoms of OCD?
The main symptoms of OCD are obsessions and compulsions that interfere with normal activities. For example, symptoms may often prevent you from getting to work on time. Or you may have trouble getting ready for bed in a reasonable amount of time.
You may know that these symptoms are problematic, but you can’t stop them. Symptoms of OCD may come and go, ease over time or worsen over time.
If you or your child have symptoms of OCD that interfere with your/their daily life, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
Obsessions in OCD
In OCD, obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts or mental images that cause intense anxiety. People with OCD can’t control these thoughts. Most people with OCD realize that these thoughts are illogical or irrational.
Common examples include:
Fear of coming into contact with perceived contaminated substances, such as germs or dirt.
Fear of causing harm to yourself or someone else because you’re not careful enough or you’re going to act on a violent impulse.
Unwanted thoughts or mental images related to sex.
Fear of making a mistake.
Excessive concern with morality (“right or wrong”).
Feelings of doubt or disgust.
Need for order, neatness, symmetry or perfection.
Need for constant reassurance.
Compulsions in OCD
In OCD, compulsions are repetitive actions that you feel like you have to do to ease or get rid of the obsessions.
People with OCD don’t want to perform these compulsive behaviors and don’t get pleasure from them. But they feel like they have to perform them or their anxiety will get worse. Compulsions only help temporarily, though. The obsessions soon come back, triggering a return to the compulsions.
Compulsions are time-consuming and get in the way of important activities that you value. They don’t have to match the content of your obsessions.
Examples include:
Arranging things in a very specific way, such as items on your dresser.
Bathing, cleaning or washing your hands over and over.
Collecting or hoarding items that have no personal or financial value.
Repeatedly checking things, such as locks, switches and doors.
Constantly checking that you haven’t caused someone harm.
Constantly seeking reassurance.
Rituals related to numbers, such as counting, doing a task a specific amount of times, or excessively preferring or avoiding certain numbers.
Saying certain words or prayers while doing unrelated tasks.
Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessions. One example is refusing to shake hands or touch objects that other people touch a lot, like doorknobs.
What causes OCD?
Researchers don’t know what exactly causes OCD. But they think several factors contribute to its development, including:
Genetics: Studies show that people who have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with OCD are at a higher risk for developing the condition. The risk increases if the relative developed OCD as a child or teen.
Brain changes: Imaging studies have shown differences in the frontal cortex and subcortical structures of the brain in people who have OCD. OCD is also associated with other neurological conditions that affect similar areas of your brain, including Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome and epilepsy.
PANDAS syndrome: PANDAS is short for “pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.” It describes a group of conditions that can affect children who have had strep infections, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. OCD is one of these conditions.
Childhood trauma: Some studies show an association between childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect, and the development of OCD.
This is from the Cleveland Clinic's site. Hopefully it helps. <3
