Is OCD more than repeatedly washing your hands and checking the oven is off?
Recently, the popular musician Noah Kahan shared his experience of living with OCD, helping bring awareness to a mental health condition that is often misunderstood. OCD is commonly portrayed in movies, social media, and everyday conversations as simply being very organised, clean, or particular about things. Think Monica Geller in Friends. In reality, OCD is a complex mental health condition that can cause significant distress and interfere with a person’s daily life, relationships, work or school, and overall wellbeing.
What is OCD?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is classified as a mental health condition in the DSM-5 and is characterised by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. While many people experience occasional intrusive thoughts or engage in repetitive habits, for individuals with OCD these experiences become persistent, distressing, and difficult to control, often taking up significant time and interfering with daily functioning. OCD is not simply about being particular or liking things a certain way. Instead, it involves a cycle of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours or mental acts aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared outcome.
Obsessions
Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that repeatedly enter a person’s mind and cause significant distress. They are not voluntary and typically feel inconsistent with the person’s values. Common obsessions include fears related to:
Contamination or germs
Harm to self or others (intentional or accidental)
Making a serious mistake or being responsible for harm
Sexual, religious, or moral concerns
Relationship doubts
Forgetting or losing things
A need for certainty or things to feel “just right”
Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform, typically in response to an obsession. Their purpose is usually to reduce anxiety, prevent a feared outcome, or gain a sense of certainty. They often reinforce the OCD cycle over time but may provide relief temporarily. Common compulsions include:
Double checking (e.g. locks, home appliances, text messages)
Excessive washing or cleaning
Seeking reassurance from others
Repeating actions until they feel “just right”
Counting or mental rituals
Reviewing events or conversations
Avoiding triggers or particular situations
What’s the difference between OCD and anxiety?
OCD and anxiety can overlap. Both involve distressing thoughts, fear, and heightened levels of worry that are difficult to control. However, they are not the same thing. For example, anxiety might involve worrying about making a mistake at work or school, whereas OCD might involve persistent doubts about whether a mistake has been made, followed by checking, reassurance seeking, or mentally reviewing the situation to feel certain.
Anxiety typically involves excessive worry and stress about everyday concerns such as health, relationships, work, school, finances, and the future. These worries may feel overwhelming or difficult to cope with. The distressing thoughts characteristic of anxiety are generally still connected to a person’s values and situations that could realistically occur though.
OCD, on the other hand, involves unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or doubts (obsessions) that are often unlikely, irrational, or out of proportion to the actual level of risk. These thoughts can feel distressing or difficult to cope with, even if the person recognises their fears may be unrealistic and do not align with their values. People with OCD may feel driven to engage in repetitive behaviours or mental acts in an attempt to reduce distress or gain a sense of certainty (compulsions), which may provide temporary relief but usually reinforce the OCD cycle over time.
How is OCD treated and what is ERP?
OCD is a treatable mental health condition and many individuals experience significant improvements in symptoms and their overall quality of life with the appropriate psychological support. One of the most effective treatments for OCD is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is considered the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD and is supported by a strong body of research.
ERP involves gradually facing anxiety provoking obsessions (exposure) while resisting the urge to engage in compulsions (response prevention). The aim of ERP is not to eliminate intrusive thoughts completely but instead to help people learn that distress and uncertainty can be tolerated without needing to engage in avoidance behaviours for relief or certainty. For example, a person who repeatedly checks locks may practice leaving the house without rechecking multiple times. Treatment for OCD also involves psychoeducation, emotional regulation strategies, and support from a GP or psychiatrist with prescription medication where appropriate as well.
When should you see a psychologist?
Many people with OCD delay seeking support because they feel embarrassed, ashamed, or frightened by their thoughts and behaviours. Others do not realise their experiences are a sign of OCD or may not believe their symptoms are “severe enough” to seek help. It is never too early to seek support, however, and early intervention can be highly beneficial. It may be helpful to see a psychologist if:
Intrusive thoughts are causing significant distress
Compulsive behaviours are interfering with daily life
Thoughts and behaviours feel difficult to control or are becoming increasingly time-consuming
You feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally impacted by the cycle of obsessions and compulsion
Still wondering whether you have OCD?
If you’re considering whether you, your child, or a loved one may have OCD, Graham Psychology is here to help.
Our experienced team provides compassionate, evidence-based assessments with clear answers and practical next steps.
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