repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that someone feels compelled to perform in response to their obsession. Obsessions are often unwanted or distressing thoughts that cause anxiety or distress, while compulsions are actions or behaviors that someone feels driven to do in order to alleviate this anxiety or distress. Compulsions can be physical behaviors, such as checking, washing or counting, or mental rituals, such as repeating certain thoughts or phrases. Together, obsessions and compulsions make up the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
