Where is the line between obsessive compulsion and a habit?

Question

Obsessive compulsive is repetition.

Some habits are also repetitive.

Just curious....

Answer 1

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that causes people to have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and to repeat certain behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. We all have habits and routines in our daily lives, such as brushing our teeth before bed. However, for people with OCD, patterns of behavior get in the way of their daily lives.

Most people with OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions make no sense, but they can't ignore or stop them.

Example:

Obsession: Fear of dirt or germs

Compulsion: Cleaning and grooming, such as washing hands, showering or brushing teeth over and over again

as opposed to habit: grooming to look good but not really afraid of germs...

Answer 2

Obessive compulsive behavior is, for the most part, something that people find incontrollable.  They must, for example, check that they turned the stove off, not just once like we all might do, but 7 times before they leave the house.  And if they check only 6 times before they leave, they will think about their house burning down all day, until they must go home to check the stove.  A habit is biting your nails or straightening out the pictures on your desk.  You do it mindlessly, but if you really needed to stop for some reason, with some effort, you could.  

When an obsession or compulsion takes over the majority of your thoughts, you should probably seek help.

Answer 3

A habit is something you break, an obsessive compulsion is something that you heal.

Answer 4

OCD interferes with your life.  In extreme cases going through the rituals to reduce anxiety will totally consume the entire day.  OCD is rooted in anxiety.  Habits are not.  A person can break habits if they so desire.  People with OCD need help in doing so.  (psychologist)