Are you experiencing Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder?
Have you been to numerous therapists and cannot seem to get your "anxiety" under control? Sometimes people come to therapy thinking they have generalized anxiety because they’re constantly worrying or feeling on edge, but what they’re actually experiencing might be OCD. That’s because OCD often shows up as persistent, intrusive thoughts or urges that create a lot of worry, which can look a lot like generalized anxiety at first. The difference is that with OCD, there’s usually a specific pattern of thoughts and compulsive behaviors or mental rituals that your brain uses to try to reduce the anxiety. Recognizing the difference is important, because the strategies that help OCD, like Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) are different from the tools typically used for generalized anxiety.
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OCD is not just about wanting to be clean or tidy...
OCD doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people worry about germs, others check things constantly, some need everything “just right,” and others struggle with intrusive thoughts or mental rituals. Knowing the type of OCD you’re experiencing helps guide the best strategies for managing it.
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Common Subtypes of OCD:
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Contamination OCD is the fear of germs, dirt, or illness; compulsive washing or cleaning
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Checking OCD is the repeated checking to prevent harm or mistakes
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Symmetry OCD is the need for things to feel “just right” or perfectly aligned
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Scrupulosity OCD presents as obsessions about morality, religion, or ethical behavior; may involve ritualistic prayers or behaviors
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Relationship OCD presents as obsessive doubts about feelings toward a partner or their feelings toward you.
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Harm OCD is where people have intrusive, unwanted thoughts about accidentally or intentionally hurting themselves or others.
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How can therapy help you?
Exposure and Response Prevention, or ERP, is a gentle, step-by-step way to face the things that make your anxiety spike. It has come to be the Gold Standard treatment of OCD. With ERP, we work together to gradually confront situations or thoughts you’ve been avoiding, but in a safe, controlled way. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety completely, because some worry is normal, but to help your brain learn that you can handle uncertainty and discomfort without it taking over your life. Over time, ERP helps break the cycle of avoidance, giving you more freedom, confidence, and control over your daily choices.