You slip into bed after a long day, ready to sleep, when a nagging thought interrupts. You wonder, “Did I lock the front door?” You try to brush it off, but before you know it, you find yourself standing in front of the door. You rattle the handle—it’s locked. You rush back to the bed, but the worry lingers. The voice in your head keeps saying, “What if you only thought you locked it?” And you’re up again, checking. And again. Maybe twenty times.
If this sounds familiar, you might have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. What you’re experiencing isn’t uncommon. According to the International OCD Foundation, OCD affects roughly 1 in 40 adults at some point in their lives.
Living with OCD means being stuck in cycles of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours. The good news? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is treatable. With the right help, you can break free from these patterns and reclaim your life.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? —Understanding the Condition
Let’s clear something up right away: Despite what many people think, OCD is not about being super clean or organized. And it’s not about checking your front door once in a blue moon.
OCD is a mental health condition that affects how your brain works. OCD has two main parts:
Obsessions That Won’t Quit
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that play on repeat in your head. They make you anxious. These thoughts feel scary or wrong. No matter how hard you try to push them away, your brain gets stuck on them.
Compulsions That Take Over
Compulsions are actions you repeat to reduce the anxiety from obsessions. You feel driven to do these behaviors. They might help temporarily, but the relief never lasts long. Compulsions can be visible (washing your hands till they’re red) or mental (counting in your head)
The cycle keeps repeating, making daily life exhausting. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. At Alter Behavioral Health, we help people understand and manage OCD with compassionate, evidence-based care.
Common OCD Symptoms—Obsessions and Compulsions Explained
OCD takes many forms. Here are the most common types we see in our practice:
- Contamination fears: You worry about germs or dirt. But it goes beyond basic hygiene concerns. Some people avoid touching doorknobs in public places. Others don’t feel comfortable eating outside.
- Harm obsessions. You might picture hurting someone, even though you don’t want to. These thoughts feel terrifying and cause distress.
- Need for symmetry. Things must be arranged perfectly. This may look like: Books must be placed in a specific order in the bookshelf.
- Intrusive thoughts. Random, disturbing images or words pop into your mind. You feel ashamed of these thoughts.
- Checking behaviors. You repeatedly verify that the stove is off. Logic doesn’t help. You check anyway.
- Counting and arranging. You count objects or arrange them in specific patterns. The compulsion feels necessary and urgent.
OCD vs. Other Anxiety Disorders—How OCD Stands Apart
Many conditions involve anxiety. OCD stands apart in specific ways:
OCD involves both obsessions and compulsions. Generalized anxiety doesn’t usually include repetitive behaviors tied to particular fears.
OCD thoughts feel intrusive. They arrive involuntarily, not as worries you create. You don’t want these thoughts.
Compulsions feel necessary. Not optional. With other anxiety disorders, you typically don’t perform ritual-like behaviors.
OCD causes specific, targeted fears. You might fear contamination or harm. Other anxiety disorders involve broader, floating worry.
Stop guessing. A mental health professional can properly diagnose OCD.
What Works—Evidence-Based OCD Treatment Approaches
Treatment works. Research proves this. The most effective approaches include:
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) —Facing Your Fears Without Giving In
Exposure and Response Prevention is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ERP is the gold standard—the most effective type of CBT for OCD,
You face your fears gradually while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. Over time, your anxiety decreases naturally.
Research Shows ERP Effectively Reduces OCD Symptoms
A 2021 systematic review studied CBT with exposure and response prevention in the treatment of OCD.
Researchers reviewed 36 randomized controlled trials, involving 2020 patients (537 children and 1483 adults).
The meta-analysis found that ERP produced a large reduction in OCD symptoms compared to control groups. Overall, the therapy was shown to be highly effective, confirming that ERP is one of the strongest evidence-based treatments for OCD.
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Helps OCD
- You learn that thoughts are just thoughts. They don’t require action. A disturbing thought doesn’t mean you’ll act on it.
- You identify thought patterns. What triggers your obsessions? When do compulsions feel strongest?
- You develop coping skills. You learn practical tools to manage anxiety without compulsions.
- You challenge false beliefs. Many OCD sufferers believe bad things will happen if they don’t perform rituals. CBT helps you test this. You learn the truth through experience.
This can be uncomfortable at first. But by the end of the treatment, you should be able to shrug off intrusive thoughts easily.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) —Accept Thoughts, Focus on Life
Acceptance and commitment therapy is very different from other therapies. Instead of focusing on reducing your symptoms, you’ll work on accepting those uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. Instead of making those thoughts go away, you’ll notice them. You’ll develop the skill of returning your attention to the present moment and not getting lost in obsessive thinking.
Research Shows ACT Can Reduce OCD Symptoms
Soondrum et al. (2022) studied the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
This study reviewed published research (up to May 2021)
Researchers included 14 studies (with a total of 413 participants)
Key Findings: ACT significantly reduced OCD symptoms compared to control conditions.
This meta-analysis highlights that ACT is a clinically viable therapy option for OCD.
OCD is complex. For many of our clients, integrating approaches works best. Some clients progress faster by combining ERP with ACT. We understand that what works for one client may not work for another. When you join us, we’ll take time to assess your situation before creating a personalized healing plan for you.
Living with OCD—Coping Strategies and Support
These coping strategies help many of our clients manage their symptoms:
- Join a support group. Being around others who understand OCD helps you feel heard.
- Practice mindfulness to cope with anxiety.
- Exercise regularly to reduce anxiety.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Track your progress to celebrate small wins.
- Be patient and kind with yourself.
Recovery isn’t linear. Some days feel harder than others. That’s normal. What matters is continuing forward.
Signs It’s Time to Seek Professional Help for OCD
Reach out to a professional if:
- OCD interferes with your work or school
- Relationships suffer because of your symptoms.
- You spend more than an hour daily on obsessions or compulsions.
- You’ve tried to stop on your own and couldn’t
- Your anxiety feels unmanageable.
- You’re having thoughts of harming yourself.
You don’t need to suffer alone. Help exists. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Take the First Step—Reclaim Your Life from OCD
OCD is treatable. You can break free from the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions.
Treatment is possible when you work with qualified professionals who understand your struggle.
Don’t wait. The sooner you get help, the sooner you reclaim your life.
Alter Behavioral Health is ready to support you on your journey. Our admissions team will help with everything—insurance verification, scheduling, and planning your path forward.
Call us today. Your first step toward freedom is just one phone call away.
Frequently Asked Questions About OCD
Can I cure OCD on my own?
OCD typically requires professional treatment. Therapy and medication work best together. Self-help is a first step.
How long does OCD treatment take?
Most people see improvement in 4 to 12 weeks with consistent therapy. Some need longer-term treatment.
Can children have OCD?
Yes. OCD can start in childhood. Early treatment prevents symptoms from worsening.
Will people judge me for having OCD?
OCD is a medical condition. Just like diabetes or asthma, it deserves proper treatment. People who understand OCD show support and compassion.
Is OCD serious?
Left untreated, OCD can worsen and limit your life significantly. With treatment, you can manage symptoms and thrive.
