Obsessive-compulsive Disorder is more than cleaning and flipping a light switch (thanks, Hollywood). The brain actually gets stuck in a loop of fears, what ifs, and scary images that keep daily life from functioning how it should or need to. These obsessions then lead to compulsions or a need to repeat or check. In heightened and/or stressful situations the brain is unable to move on or ignore the anxiety without some form of relief.