I’m so excited to get into today’s episode because we’re focusing on a topic that’s especially close to my heart—OCD. Whether you’ve been living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for a while or are just starting to understand what it’s all about, this post will be a game changer. In honor of OCD Awareness Week, I’m breaking down 10 important things that everyone should know about OCD. These insights can help you explain the disorder to a loved one or even deepen your own understanding of what it’s like to live with OCD. So, let’s get started.

Here’s a little preview of what we’ll cover:

• It’s OCD Awareness Week
• 10 important things everyone should know about OCD
• What it’s like to live with OCD

1. OCD Isn’t Just About Being Neat and Tidy

One of the biggest misconceptions is that OCD is just about cleanliness or organization. While some people with OCD may focus on contamination or neatness, the disorder is much broader. It’s more about intrusive thoughts and the compulsions people feel driven to perform in order to relieve anxiety or discomfort. These compulsions can be related to harm, relationships, existential worries, religious concerns, or countless other things. Essentially, OCD is a doubt disorder, driven by relentless “what if” questions.

2. Intrusive Thoughts Are at the Core

At its heart, OCD is driven by intrusive thoughts. These thoughts, images, or feelings pop up suddenly and feel deeply distressing. Everyone experiences strange, unwanted thoughts, but for someone with OCD, these thoughts stick like Velcro and feel incredibly real and threatening. They’re not easily dismissed, which is WHY these thoughts lead to compulsions or avoidances to neutralize the anxiety caused by them.

3. Compulsions Aren’t Just Physical

When people think of OCD compulsions, they often imagine handwashing or checking locks. While these physical compulsions are common, many compulsions happen inside the mind. Mental compulsions like ruminating, mentally reviewing situations, or trying to “figure things out” can be just as disruptive. These compulsions feel automatic, but they aren’t—and they can trap people in endless loops of anxiety.

4. OCD Isn’t Rational—And That’s the Point

One of the hardest parts of OCD is that people often know their fears are irrational. They might realize checking the stove 20 times won’t prevent a fire or that avoiding a specific number won’t keep loved ones safe, but OCD still compels them to act on these thoughts. This duality—the logical part of the brain knowing something is irrational, while the anxious part feels compelled to act anyway—is one of the most frustrating aspects of the disorder. I’ve definitely experienced this before.

5. Avoidance Fuels the Fire

Avoidance is one of the biggest factors that keeps OCD going. Whether it’s avoiding certain situations, thoughts, or feelings, this behavior gives OCD more power. Avoidance might offer temporary relief, but in the long run, it only strengthens the fear. That’s why exposure—facing your fears head-on—is a crucial part of treatment. Avoiding fears is like throwing logs onto the OCD fire; it only makes it burn hotter and stronger over time.

6. Treatment Isn’t About Eliminating Anxiety

Of course, I want everyone struggling with OCD to feel less anxious and experience fewer intrusive thoughts, but that can’t be the main goal of treatment. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety but to change how you respond to it. Through strategies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), you can learn to tolerate discomfort and live with uncertainty without resorting to compulsions. When you stop desperately trying to get rid of anxiety, it starts to lose its grip on you.

7. ERP Is the Gold Standard of Treatment

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective treatment for OCD. It involves gradually facing your fears while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. By doing this repeatedly, your brain learns that anxiety will rise and fall on its own without the need for compulsions. Over time, you begin to realize that you can handle the discomfort without acting on the urges that OCD demands. While ERP is key, I also integrate holistic approaches into my work to ensure a well-rounded recovery experience. I have a lot of great free and low-cost resources for you to explore more here.

8. OCD Isn’t Just an Adult Disorder

OCD doesn’t only affect adults; many people experience symptoms in childhood or adolescence. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked or misdiagnosed as simple anxiety. Early intervention can make a big difference, so if you notice signs of OCD in a loved one, don’t hesitate to seek help. The earlier we catch OCD, the easier it is to manage.

9. OCD Can Impact Every Aspect of Life

Living with OCD can be exhausting. The World Health Organization has identified OCD as one of the top 10 most debilitating mental health conditions. It can affect relationships, work, school, and a person’s ability to enjoy life. That’s why it’s so important to understand what someone with OCD is going through and to offer support when you can.

10. There’s Hope—And Treatment Works

Despite how debilitating OCD can be, it’s also one of the most treatable mental health conditions. ERP and other evidence-based treatments have been proven to work for OCD and anxiety better than any other approach. With the right strategies and support, you can take back control of your life. It’s not easy, but living with untreated OCD isn’t easy either. The good news is that treatment is effective, and with persistence, you can make real, lasting changes.

Resources and Next Steps

If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, I have plenty of resources to help you take the next step. Head here for a collection of free and low-cost tools. And if you’re specifically dealing with mental compulsions like overanalyzing or ruminating, I’ve created a free masterclass as part of OCD Awareness Week called Stop the Spiral. This 60-minute class dives deep into what mental compulsions are, how they keep you stuck, and most importantly, how to break free. You can sign up here to claim your spot.

Living with OCD can be incredibly challenging, but there is real hope. With the right strategies and support, you can gain control and start living a life that isn’t dictated by fear or compulsions. It’s a journey that requires courage, but every small step you take toward facing your fears is a victory. You’re not alone in this, and with persistence and the right tools, you can find freedom and peace. Trust in your strength

Keep doing all the hard things. Bye for now.

👏 Unlock your free 40-minute video on “5 Must-Know Strategies for Handling Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts”: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/strategies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧠 Start your transformation today with the Mental Compulsion Mini Course referenced in this episode: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/mental-compulsions⁠

💪 Ready to conquer OCD/anxiety? Explore The OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint – with or without a therapist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/blueprint⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that Jenna is not your therapist. She does not provide you with individualized recommendations or advice. The information provided is intended as educational information only. Jenna cannot tell you what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, or give recommendations based on your unique situations or circumstances. Nothing on this page or Site should be construed as therapeutic recommendation or personalized advice. If you are in need of such services, please consult with a physician or other medical provider right away to determine the best course of action for you. We are not responsible for your use of this page, this website, or the contents within. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU READ OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE AND CONTENT. For more information, please read the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimer. Your continued use of this platform, this page, and the contents within constitutes as your agreement with this agreement.

© 2024 Jenna Overbaugh, LLC, All Rights Reserved

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jennaoverbaughlpc.com/terms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jennaoverbaughlpc.com/privacy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jennaoverbaughlpc.com/disclaimer⁠⁠