Masculinity appears not only in broad cultural structures like patriarchy, but in subtle everyday moments: how men bond, how they express affection, how they cope with disappointment, how they speak about vulnerability, how they imagine themselves as partners, fathers, friends, or individuals. Masculinity can steady a man—and it can tighten around him.

We can all experience obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. But if you have OCD, your fears about repetitive thoughts and behaviors make you very distressed. And they can have a big impact on your life.