Constant intrusive thoughts that come with obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD] can be exhausting. That’s an experience shared by Normal’s Claire Nichols. She said when she was a child, her OCD began with frequent bathroom visits. According to mental health professionals, Nichols’ experience is not uncommon. Shannon Griffith, a licensed clinical professional counselor with Normal-based Moonflower Counseling, said on average, diagnosing OCD can take 7 years from when symptoms first start occurring.