What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness comprised of obsessions and/or compulsions – the individual may experience obsessions, compulsions, or both. An obsession is an urge or repetitive thought/image that persists and can cause anxiety and discomfort. Compulsions are the actions one takes to help reduce anxiety – typically caused by obsessive thoughts – such as counting, cleaning, or ordering things in particular ways.

Five Main Categories of OCD

There are five main categories of OCD:

Checking
Contamination
Symmetry & Ordering
Rumination & Intrusive Thoughts
Hoarding

A person with OCD is usually aware of the thoughts and actions don’t make sense, yet they are still compelled by them – they are uncontrollable. OCD tends to cause a feeling of embarrassment and challenges performing day-to-day activities.

Living with OCD

Therapy is very effective in helping people with OCD. A therapist can help to understand the driving forces behind the obsessions and compulsions and teach skills to manage stress and allow the more rational thoughts to be more prevalent. Support groups are also available to help those suffering from OCD.

Read more about Living with OCD and Intrusive Thoughts over on our blog.

What OCD & Phobias Have in Common

On the surface, OCD and phobias can look very different. But underneath, they share a core mechanism: the brain has learned to treat something as a threat, and the body responds accordingly – every time, reliably, and often without warning. Both conditions are maintained by avoidance. The more you avoid the trigger, the more power it holds.

There is also something important that most people don’t know: not all treatments work the same way for OCD and phobias – and some traditional approaches can actually make things worse.

Treatment for OCD and Phobias

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for both OCD and phobias. It works by gradually and safely exposing you to the thoughts, situations, or triggers that activate your fear response – while supporting you in resisting the urge to avoid or ritualize. Over time, the fear loses its grip. Not because you fought it, but because you stopped running from it. The anxiety rises, peaks, and falls – on its own. This process is what breaks the cycle at its root.

At Claibourne, our therapists may integrate ERP with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This combined approach allows us to tailor treatment to the unique ways OCD and phobias show up in each person’s life.