This is not about being neat or liking things a certain way. It is about thoughts that show up uninvited and refuse to leave, no matter how much you tell them to. Your brain latches onto a
fear, doubt, or image and replays it until it feels unbearable. To quiet that feeling, you may repeat actions, check things, count, avoid, or mentally review situations again and again.
You usually know the fear does not make sense, which somehow makes it worse. The loop is exhausting. A lot of your energy goes into managing thoughts other people never have to negotiate with. You are not dramatic, controlling, or difficult. Youare trying to get relief from a brain that will not hit pause.

This diagnosis describes the presence of obsessions, which are intrusive and distressing thoughts, and compulsions, which are behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety. These patterns are time consuming and interfere with daily life. Treatment often includes therapy, medication, or both. A good clinician will emphasize that OCD is not about personality or preference, and will gently agree that telling someone to just stop thinking about it has neve worked for anyone in the history of brains.