OCD can feel like being trapped in a loop of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feeling an overwhelming urge to perform certain actions (compulsions) to find relief. You may logically know the fears are excessive, but the anxiety is powerful and real. Our providers work with you to understand this cycle and develop effective, evidence-based strategies to reduce its power over your life.
Common Symptoms or Things to Look Out For:
- Obsessions: Recurrent, persistent thoughts, urges, or images experienced as intrusive and unwanted that cause marked anxiety or distress. Common themes include contamination, harm, symmetry, or forbidden thoughts.
- Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors (e.g., washing, checking, ordering) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, aimed at preventing anxiety or a dreaded event.
- The obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (take more than 1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.