You may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) if you experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and feel driven to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) to relieve distress. OCD isn’t about being neat or liking order—it’s a real mental health condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In fact, about 2-3% of people worldwide live with OCD.
The only way to know for sure is to get evaluated by a licensed mental health professional, but learning the signs and symptoms can help you understand whether what you’re experiencing may be OCD.
What are the signs of OCD?
Two key symptoms define OCD:
- Obsessions: Repetitive, intrusive thoughts, images, urges, feelings, or sensations that lead to feelings of distress.
- Compulsions: Physical or mental actions done to relieve distress from obsessions or to prevent something bad from happening.
Any relief that compulsions bring is temporary, and the obsessions inevitably return, reinforcing what is known as the OCD cycle.
Common symptoms of OCD
OCD can look different from person to person, but common symptoms include:
- Fear of germs, illness, or contamination.
- Needing things to feel “just right” or symmetrical.
- Disturbing intrusive thoughts about harm, sex, or morality.
- Excessive checking (locks, appliances, safety).
- Repeated reassurance-seeking or mental reviewing.
How is OCD diagnosed?
A diagnosis of OCD can only be made by a qualified professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. They will assess:
- Whether obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming (over one hour per day).
- Whether they cause significant distress or impairment in daily life.
- Whether symptoms are not better explained by another condition.
When should I seek help?
You should consider reaching out for help if:
- Your thoughts and behaviors feel overwhelming
- Symptoms take up a lot of time every day
- OCD interferes with your work, school, or relationships
OCD rarely goes away on its own. Effective treatment is available, and the earlier you seek help, the better your chances of recovery.
How is OCD treated?
If you’re diagnosed with OCD, several evidence-based treatments can help you manage your symptoms.
The most effective treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) proven to be effective for OCD. General CBT, if not tailored for OCD, can sometimes be unhelpful or even worsen symptoms.
Studies show that ERP therapy is highly effective, with 80% of people with OCD experiencing a significant reduction in their symptoms.
Other approaches that may help include:
- Medication (typically SSRIs)
- Mindfulness-based strategies
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
These are typically done in combination with ERP therapy, depending on the individual’s needs.
Severe or treatment-resistant OCD may benefit from the following therapies:
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
- Partial hospital programs (PHPs)
- Residential treatment centers (RTCs)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS)
Find the right OCD therapist for you
All our therapists are licensed and trained in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD.
Bottom line
You may have OCD if you struggle with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that interfere with daily life. Only a professional can diagnose OCD, but recognizing the signs is the first step toward getting help. With effective treatments like ERP therapy and medication, recovery is possible.
Key takeaways
- OCD isn’t just about being neat or organized—it involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors done to relieve anxiety.
- If your thoughts feel distressing, hard to ignore, and interfere with your daily life, it might be OCD—not just everyday worry.
- OCD can show up in many different ways, from fears about harm or contamination to doubts about relationships, morality, or identity.
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, medication, and adjunctive therapies can help manage OCD symptoms.
