What Is OCD?

Written By Eliane Nevares

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by the presence of:

1.     Obsessions

  • Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. These are not just worries about real-life problems

  • Often irrational or exaggerated, hard to control or dismiss, and repetitive

  • Examples may include: “What if I’ve accidentally hit someone with my car without realizing it?” or “What if I left the stove on?” 

2.     Compulsions

  • Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions, aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared outcome, even if the action isn’t logically connected to the fear

  • Compulsions provide quick and temporary relief, but ultimately reinforce the cycle of OCD

  • Examples may include: washing, checking, counting, or mental rituals (e.g. praying)  

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, outlines OCD as follows:

Diagnostic Criteria (per DSM-5)

  • Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both

  • Time-consuming (usually more than 1 hour/day)

  • Causes significant distress or impairment

  • Not due to substances, medical conditions, or other mental disorders

Common OCD Subtypes (not officially separate diagnoses)

  • Contamination OCD: Fear of germs or illness → cleaning/washing rituals

  • Checking OCD: Fear of harm due to negligence → checking doors, appliances

  • Harm OCD: Fear of causing harm → mental review, avoidance of sharp objects

  • Sexual/Religious Intrusions: Disturbing taboo thoughts → mental rituals, reassurance seeking

  • Just Right OCD: Need for symmetry or things to feel “perfect” → arranging, repeating

Other considerations to consider include:

OCD Is Not…

  • Being neat or organized, unless it's driven by anxiety/compulsion

  • A personality quirk or preference

  • Something people can "just stop doing"

Effective Treatments Include

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and/or Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Medications (e.g., SSRIs like fluoxetine or sertraline)

  • In severe cases: Intensive outpatient programs, deep brain stimulation, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

If you are interested in scheduling a Discovery Call to learn more about OCD, feel free to be in touch directly. I look forward to hearing from you soon and supporting you in your healing journey!

Eliane Nevares
Next

An Introduction to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)