October is OCD Awareness Month. As the 4th most common mental disorder, OCD affects millions of people and often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, sometimes making daily life and well-being difficult to manage. It’s characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions).
Common Signs of OCD
OCD looks different for everyone, but some common signs and symptoms include:
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Repeated handwashing, cleaning, or checking behaviors
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Excessive need for order, symmetry, or perfection
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Intrusive, distressing thoughts
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Intense fear of making mistakes or causing harm
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Mental rituals such as repeating words or counting in one’s head
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Avoiding people, places, or situations that trigger obsessions
It’s also important to note that 90% of people with OCD have at least one other co-occurring mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. This overlap can make OCD more challenging to diagnose and treat, but it also highlights the importance of comprehensive care.
Types of OCD
OCD can manifest in many ways. While every person’s experience is unique, recognizing different types can help people better understand their symptoms and feel less alone.
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Cleaning and Contamination OCD: Fear of germs, illness, or toxins; excessive washing or cleaning to feel safe.
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Checking OCD: Compulsive checking to prevent harm, damage, or mistakes, such as repeatedly verifying locks, appliances, or emails. The obsessive fear might be about causing fires, leaks, accidents, or other harm. Checking can take hours and interfere with daily life, work, and relationships.
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Mental Contamination: Feeling internally “dirty” or contaminated after being mistreated or humiliated — often without physical contact. The source of contamination is usually another person or a distressing experience, leading to compulsive washing or mental “cleansing” rituals.
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Hoarding OCD: Fear that throwing things away could cause harm; keeping or buying items “just in case.”
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Ruminations: Prolonged, repetitive thinking about abstract or philosophical questions like morality, existence, or death that never lead to a conclusion. These thoughts feel mentally “stuck” rather than distressing, but they are time-consuming and unproductive.
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Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted, distressing thoughts or images that go against personal values
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Symmetry and Ordering OCD: Need for things to be perfectly aligned, balanced, or “just right.”
Treatment
Though OCD can be debilitating for some, it is highly treatable. The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is effective for many people with OCD. One specialized form of CBT, called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), involves gradually facing feared objects or obsessions, such as dirt or contamination, while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. Over time, ERP helps individuals break the obsessive cycle and regain a sense of control. In some cases, medication, particularly SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), can help manage symptoms, especially when combined with therapy. Early intervention and access to trained professionals can make an enormous difference in recovery outcomes.
Research studies indicate that:
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On average, ERP reduces OCD symptoms by 43%, depression by 44%, and anxiety by 48%.
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Meaningful progress is often seen in just 9–12 sessions.
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It can take up to 17 years for those diagnosed with OCD to receive adequate therapy.
Coping with OCD
Although OCD is fairly common, it’s often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Many people delay seeking help because of stigma or fear of being judged. OCD isn’t a personality trait or a choice, it’s a real mental health condition that deserves understanding and proper treatment.
Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all, and no one should have to struggle alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional. Our trained clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals living with OCD and other mental health concerns. Give us a call at 800-627-8220 or contact us today!