Shopping Cart

Description	Qty	Price
The Harvard Medical School 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating (Print - Free U.S. Shipping!)		$20.00
Improving Memory: Understanding Age-Related Memory Loss (PDF - Lowest Price!)		$18.00
Harvard Health Letter (Print & Online Access (PDF)!)		$16.00
Subtotal		$54.00

Update Cart

Checkout

Please note: If you have a promotional code you'll be prompted to enter it prior to confirming your order.

Customer Sign In

Returning Customer

If you have an account, please sign in.

New Customers

If you subscribe to any of our print newsletters and have never activated your online account, please activate your account below for online access. By activating your account, you will create a login and password. You only need to activate your account once.

Activate My Account

Harvard Mental Health Letter

Questions & answers

Published: June, 2009

Q. If I have obsessions or compulsions, does that mean I have obsessive-compulsive disorder?

A. Look around and you may find many people in your neighborhood who are troubled — at least once in a while — by obsessions (persistent, intrusive, anxiety-provoking thoughts) or compulsions (irresistible urges to repeat certain behaviors). So, no, these symptoms on their own do not indicate a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

To continue reading this article, you must login.

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

Research health conditions
Check your symptoms
Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
Find the best treatments and procedures for you
Explore options for better nutrition and exercise

Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online »

Related Articles
Related Topics

Daily Health Tip

Memorize the warning signs of a stroke

The acronym FAST can help. F: Face drooping. Can the person smile? Is the smile uneven? A: Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? If the person raises both arms, does one drift down? S: Speech difficulty. Is the person's speech slurred? Can they repeat simple sentences you give them? T: Time to call 911. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911. Check the time so you know when the symptoms began.

Tips to measure your blood pressure correctly

7 ways to keep stress — and blood pressure — down

Controlling your weight is key to lowering stroke risk

Practical advice for helping people with dementia with their daily routines

7 ways to keep stress — and blood pressure — down

3 ways to harness positive psychology for a more resilient you

Surgery-free pain relief for hips and knees

Does double knee surgery make sense for you?

Exercise: An effective prescription for joint pain

Six healthy snacking strategies

What to do about mercury in fish

Do retinoids really reduce wrinkles?

Do gel manicures increase cancer risk?

Can diet help fight prostate cancer?

A new look at colon cancer screening

The bladder workout: Tame incontinence without surgery

Can diet help fight prostate cancer?

Tips for healthy eating away from home

4 things you should know about erectile dysfunction

Understanding the risks of supplements and herbal remedies for prostate cancer

5 things that can scuttle good sex

Why do I lose a lot of hair each fall?

Don't fall for these skin myths

Women and sleep: 5 simple steps to a better night's rest

Questions & answers

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

Related Articles

Related Topics