Example #1
Every time Henry leaves the house, comes home, or goes to bed, he has to lock and unlock the door 37 times exactly — no more, no fewer. This is not something that Henry wants to do, it’s something he feels he has to do otherwise something very bad will happen. He may believe that someone will break in and harm his family unless the door is unlocked exactly 37 times. He knows that this belief isn’t rational, but he can’t stop — it’s the only way he can sleep at night and function throughout the day.
Example #2
Jessica has always been a clean person. She washes her hands regularly, bathes on a daily basis, and always cleans up after herself around the home. As of late, though, things have progressed. She compulsively washes her hands every few minutes — sometimes so much so that her hands are raw, red, and extremely dry. Jessica doesn’t want to keep washing her hands all the time, she feels as if she needs to or she will contract a fatal bacterial disease.