Obsessive thoughts may make some people feel nervous and afraid.
They try to get rid of these feelings by performing certain behaviors according to "rules" that they make up for themselves. These behaviors are called compulsions, or rituals.
For example, such a person may have obsessive thoughts about being afraid of germs. Because of these thoughts, the person may spend hours washing his or her hands after using a public toilet. Performing these behaviors usually only makes the nervous feelings go away for a short time. When the fear, nervousness and anxiety return, the person is inwardly compelled to repeat the routine all over again.(AD)
