What is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

These obsessions and compulsions can interfere with daily life, making it difficult to focus on work, relationships, and personal well-being.

Common Symptoms & Experience

Common Symptoms

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests in a variety of ways, but the most common symptoms include:

Intrusive & Unwanted Thoughts (Obsessions)

Persistent, distressing thoughts, fears, or urges that cause anxiety. Examples include fear of contamination, doubts about safety, or disturbing thoughts about harm.

Repetitive Behaviors or Mental Rituals (Compulsions)

Actions performed to relieve anxiety caused by obsessions. This may include excessive handwashing, checking locks repeatedly, counting, or repeating words silently.

Difficulty Controlling Thoughts & Behaviors

A strong urge to perform compulsions even when they interfere with daily life, causing distress or consuming significant time.

Experiences

People with ADHD often experience challenges beyond the core symptoms, including:

The Endless Doubt Cycle

Constantly questioning if doors are locked, appliances are turned off, or if something bad will happen, leading to repeated checking behaviors.

Fear of Contamination & Avoidance

Feeling extreme distress over germs, dirt, or illness, resulting in excessive handwashing, avoiding public places, or refusing physical contact.

Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

Experiencing disturbing or taboo thoughts (e.g., fears of harming others, blasphemous thoughts, or inappropriate sexual fears), leading to guilt, anxiety, and compulsive mental rituals to "neutralize" them.

How Psychological Therapy Can Help You

Psychological therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals with ADHD manage symptoms, improve coping strategies, and enhance overall well-being.

Therapy is especially beneficial for those who struggle with emotional regulation, time management, impulsivity, and self-esteem issues.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Specifically, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a gold-standard approach, helps individuals gradually face their fears without engaging in compulsions, reducing their power over time.

Therapy helps identify and challenge obsessive thoughts, replacing them with healthier, more balanced perspectives, reducing distress and compulsive urges.

Restructuring Negative Thought Patterns

Developing Coping Strategies

Therapists teach mindfulness, distress tolerance, and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety, helping individuals respond to intrusive thoughts in a healthier way.