The Zach Liberatore Foundation

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder in which a person gets stuck in a cycle of obsessive thoughts and/or compulsions. OCD impacts individuals across the lifespan and symptoms may become so extreme that they interfere with important daily activities such as work, school, or spending time with family and friends. 

Repetitive unwanted thoughts, urges, or mental images that are recurring and feel out of one’s control.  Obsessions are associated with distressing feelings such as fear, anxiety, doubt, or a feeling that things have to be “just right.” 

• Commonly experienced obsessions include:
• Contamination, germs, or illness
• Aggression, violence, or harm to self or others
• Superstitious obsessions
• Religious obsessions
• Perfectionism

Repetitive behaviors or “mental acts” (e.g., counting, praying, checking, organizing) performed in excess, often in response to obsessive thoughts. Compulsions may be used to attempt to make the obsession or distress associated with the obsession go away. This can help serve as a brief escape, but this is a temporary solution and the obsessions often return.  Compulsive behaviors can be very time consuming and distressing. 

• Common compulsions include:
• Handwashing or cleaning
• Checking (doors, locks, lights, etc.)
• Re-arranging belongings
• Repeating phrases
• Counting
• Praying
• Reassurance seeking (“Are you sure I’m going to be okay?”)
• Avoiding situations that trigger obsessions

• Have repeated thoughts or images about many different things, which may include germs/dirt, acts of violence, conflicts with religion, perfectionism, etc.
• Take part in behaviors that may include washing hands, counting, double checking, repeating steps, etc. A person feels short term relief from anxiety when performing a behavior, which is usually followed quickly by an increase in anxiety. 
• Can’t control unwanted thoughts and behaviors. 
• Spend much of the day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life.

There are treatments proven to be effective at improving OCD symptoms and helping people to function. The most effective treatments for OCD include psychotherapy and/or medication. 

• A therapeutic intervention known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is especially useful for treating OCD. It teaches children, families, and adults different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help them better manage obsessive thoughts, reduce compulsive behaviors, and feel less anxious. 
• The most efficacious psychotherapeutic intervention for OCD is a specific form of CBT known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP has been supported by research in reducing the severity of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors associated with OCD. ERP involves working with a therapist to practice “exposures” to situations that trigger the obsessions and distressing associated feelings. In ERP, one may face their fears or doubts through exposure while abstaining from practicing compulsions in response to the obsession. In collaboration with a therapist, this will be accomplished through planned and structured exercises that are practiced both with a therapist and at home. The goal of ERP is to help break the cycle of obsessions and/or compulsions and build a tolerance to unwanted feelings.  

Medications may also be used along with therapy, though are generally not as effective when used alone. The most common medications prescribed are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The medication may take several weeks to start working and can occasionally cause side effects, but they are generally not severe and go away soon after the medicine is started. Although SSRIs are most common, there are occasions that other medications may be prescribed. This would be a decision between you and your doctor.

International OCD Foundation

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

Anxiety & Depression Association of America