obsessive
If you are obsessive about something, you think about it too much and can’t stop.
Thinking about something so much that it is hard to control, often in a way that seems unhealthy or unreasonable.
If someone is obsessive, they care too much about being perfect or neat.
Extremely careful about small details and wanting everything to be exact or perfect, sometimes more than is necessary.
In psychology, obsessive describes repeated unwanted thoughts that are hard to control.
Relating to a mental health pattern involving persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions), often linked to anxiety and sometimes to compulsive actions.
An obsessive is someone who is obsessed with something.
A person who is obsessive, especially someone who is overly focused on one topic, activity, or detail.
- Base: obsessive
- Base: obsessive
- Plural: obsessives
be obsessive about [something]
1care too much about something
To be obsessive about something means to think about it too much.
- He’s obsessive about his diet and won’t eat anything with sugar.
- Don’t be obsessive about the typos—we can fix them later.
- She became obsessive about what people thought of her.
- I am obsessive about my work.
obsessive attention to detail
1extreme focus on small details
Very strong focus on small details.
- Her obsessive attention to detail slows the team down.
- The model was built with obsessive attention to detail.
- He’s known for obsessive attention to detail in his reports.
- She has obsessive attention to detail.
obsessive thoughts
1repeated unwanted thoughts
Obsessive thoughts are thoughts you can’t stop having.
- She struggled with obsessive thoughts about germs.
- Stress can make obsessive thoughts feel louder and more urgent.
- He learned strategies to respond differently to obsessive thoughts.
- I have obsessive thoughts sometimes.
obsessive-compulsive
1having OCD-like traits
Obsessive-compulsive means related to OCD or similar repeated thoughts and actions.
- The clinician noted obsessive-compulsive symptoms, including repeated hand-washing.
- He described obsessive-compulsive behaviors that took hours each day.
- The doctor asked about obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
obsessive-compulsive
1Related to obsessions and compulsions
Obsessive-compulsive behavior involves repeated unwanted thoughts and repeated actions that are hard to stop.
- The therapist asked about his obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- She showed some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, especially around checking locks.
- The study looked at obsessive-compulsive behavior in children and teenagers.
- He has obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- The doctor asked about obsessive-compulsive behavior.
obsessive-compulsive disorder
1OCD mental health condition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is when unwanted thoughts and repeated actions are hard to control.
- He was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder in his twenties.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder can involve compulsive checking or mental rituals.
- Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder often includes therapy and, sometimes, medication.
- She was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
obsessive-compulsive disorder
1Anxiety-related mental health condition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a condition that makes someone have repeated unwanted thoughts and do repeated actions to reduce anxiety.
- She was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder in her early twenties.
- Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder often includes therapy and sometimes medication.
- His obsessive-compulsive disorder made everyday tasks take much longer.
- OCD means obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- He has obsessive-compulsive disorder and is getting help.