Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: What It Is and OCD Treatment Options
November 18, 2025
It’s not uncommon to hear people say things such as “I’m so OCD” when talking about their love of neatness and tidiness. But for people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD isn’t about being neat and tidy: it’s about battling against intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can feel overwhelming and never-ending.
OCD affects 2.5 million adults in the United States, yet it is still often misunderstood and minimized.1 For this reason, many people with OCD struggle in silence, unsure whether their issues are “serious” enough to seek support.
If you have OCD, professional help from your doctor or a therapist is considered to be the best route to recovery. They can help you understand the root causes of your symptoms and figure out the most suitable treatment options for your needs. This page can also help you learn more about the condition, as it explores:
What OCD is- Signs of OCD
- Treatment options for OCD
- OCD resources
- OCD recovery tips
- Finding professional support for obsessive-compulsive disorder
What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that impacts many adults in the US. More than one in every hundred adults is affected by OCD, but a lot of people still wonder what it is and what causes it.1 We shall explore the answers to these questions in the following sections.
Obsessions and Compulsive Behaviors
The American Psychological Association defines obsessive-compulsive disorder as a condition “characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that prompt the performance of neutralizing rituals (compulsions).”2
To describe obsessions as clearly as possible, they are repetitive, intrusive thoughts that can provoke fear in a person. For example, someone may have obsessions around dirt, fearing they may pick up or transmit an illness to others. Although this may be a classic example of an obsession in OCD, it’s important to know that OCD can be very insidious and creative. In fact, the theme of someone’s obsession may directly relate to what they value most in life – which is why the obsessions can be so distressing.3
Compulsions are the behaviors carried out to try to negate the fear caused by obsessions. These are often referred to as “rituals.” For instance, someone may engage in repetitive hand washing to allay the fear that they may transmit an illness to others.
As with obsessions, compulsions can manifest in a variety of ways. For instance, they may range from more obvious displays, such as cleaning or checking things, to hidden behaviours such as mental rituals, affirmations, or prayers.
Additionally, sometimes compulsions or rituals may seem to make sense in relation to the obsession. Yet, other times they may seem completely unrelated. Either way, carrying out these compulsions often only brings a limited amount of relief from the anxiety.
To be clear, a person with OCD usually recognizes that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. This is because they are often very time-consuming, cause the person distress, and can severely interfere with daily functioning. Yet the obsessions can be so frightening that a person feels they must complete the compulsions, otherwise something terrible will happen.
What Causes OCD?
The causes of OCD aren’t currently entirely known. It’s likely there is a combination of factors that contribute to its development. However, research does tell us that risk factors may include an imbalance of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and GABA, or having a family history of OCD.4
Additionally, it’s thought that OCD may be more common in people who have had stressful life events, been abused, or are generally quite anxious. It may also be more prevalent in those who have an overly strong sense of responsibility.5 For more information on the causes of OCD, check out our page on OCD Risk Factors.
OCD: Signs, Symptoms, and Impact on Life
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be a debilitating condition for many people. This is why it’s so important to recognize the warning signs – so that you can receive the help and support you need to manage this condition.
We discuss the signs of OCD in regards to obsessions and compulsions, as well as the impact of these symptoms on the lives of people with this condition, in the following sections.
Signs of OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves obsessions and compulsions that can take up a lot of time, get in the way of daily life, and affect your overall well-being.
As mentioned earlier, OCD can be creative in how it manifests in certain obsessions and compulsions. Therefore, these obsessions and compulsions may be unique to your specific set of circumstances. However, some example themes of obsessions can include:6
Fear of contamination or dirt- Having issues with uncertainty
- Needing things to be orderly
- Thoughts about harming yourself or others
- Unwanted thoughts, for example, regarding aggressive, sexual, or religious topics
Like obsessions, compulsions can also have certain themes, for example:6
Washing or cleaning- Counting
- Checking
- Putting things in order
- Reassurance seeking
- Repeating phrases either out loud or silently
Impact of Untreated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD often first rears its head in the teenage or early adult years; however, it can also begin during childhood. Symptoms can vary throughout life from being mild to debilitating, often flaring up during times of stress, transition, or change.
Untreated OCD can have a significant impact on a person’s life. Symptoms can worsen and interfere with work, relationships, and hobbies, as well as make daily life difficult to handle. In addition, 90% of people with lifetime OCD also have at least one other mental health disorder, with the most common being anxiety and mood disorders.7
As you may be able to tell, receiving timely support for OCD is crucial for controlling and managing symptoms. The next section examines the current treatment options available.
OCD Treatment Options
Living with OCD can feel overwhelming and deeply distressing. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options to help you manage OCD symptoms and the impact they can have on your life.
The following treatment options explore some of the most common OCD treatment options: therapy, medication, and innovative treatments.
OCD Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a first-line, evidence-based, and structured type of therapy for treating OCD. Within CBT lies a technique called exposure and response prevention (ERP), which can be especially effective for this condition.8-10
ERP enables patients to gradually expose themselves to triggers that provoke their obsessions and compulsions, while helping them to resist engaging in the compulsive behaviours. Exposure therapy for OCD allows a person to face their fears in a manageable way and to practise their techniques in the outside world.
Medication for OCD
If ERP alone does not bring the desired results in terms of symptom management, medication may be included in someone’s OCD treatment plan. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often recommended as a first-line medication for OCD treatment.8,11
However, as with any medication, there can be side effects in addition to the intended effect. You can find more details on our SSRI information page. SSRIs are not the only medication that can be used to treat OCD. A tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) called “clomipramine” can also be effective; however, it often comes with a higher risk of side effects than SSRIs.8,11
Innovative Treatments for OCD
Some research studies have found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be effective for treating OCD when combined with exposure-response prevention.8,11 TMS works by using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms, and is an FDA-approved treatment.12
In addition, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment that may be considered in adults who do not respond to traditional treatment. Although it is FDA-approved, it is still not widely used.8,13
Fortunately, OCD can be very effectively treated with the right help. However, seeking professional support is often essential for long-term healing and recovery.
OCD Mental Health Resources
As mentioned, OCD affects millions of people in the U.S. every year, which is why it’s so important to have access to mental health resources.1
If you’re seeking OCD help, the following resources may be useful to you:
- International OCD Foundation (IOCDF): A website for finding support groups, therapists, clinics, and learning more about OCD.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Provides support and information for people affected by OCD. You can contact their helpline and also email them questions about OCD.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Offers information on OCD symptoms and treatments, as well as help finding support for OCD.
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA): A website providing information about anxiety, depression, and OCD. It can be used to find therapists, access webinars, and find peer-to-peer support.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call 988 to talk to one of their counselors 24/7.
Additionally, Mission Connection is a mental health clinic that can provide advice, guidance, and treatment for OCD. You can contact us online, or alternatively, view our OCD resources below:
OCD Recovery Tips
The obsessions and compulsions that come with OCD can sometimes feel unmanageable and overwhelming, but there are things you can do to help you through recovery. If you are looking for tips on managing OCD, this section may help.
Some suggestions include:
- Joining a support group: OCD support groups can provide a safe space to share your experiences with others who face similar challenges. They can offer support, advice, and a sense of community.
- Practising self-care: Prioritizing your health and well-being is important when recovering from any illness, so remember to keep up that vital self-care. Getting quality sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy and balanced diet can all make a difference to your healing.
- Focusing on one day at a time: When the prospect of recovery feels like a long road, remember that you only have to think about today. Don’t worry about comparing your progress to others, and just concentrate on being patient and committed to your recovery in the moment.
- Finding professional treatment: Engaging in therapy can be very effective for improving OCD symptoms and reducing anxiety overall.
Mission Connection: Professional Support for Managing OCD
If you are concerned that compulsions are negatively impacting your life, or that obsessions are leaving you with little focus for anything else, know that you are not alone. Mission Connection recognizes that obsessive-compulsive disorder is not the “cute and quirky” condition that some people portray it to be. We understand just how devastating and impactful it can be. And we are here to help.
Our team consists of experts in the field of mental health, who are committed to using evidence-backed therapies and treatments to help you recover from OCD. We know that OCD affects everyone differently, which is why we offer a range of treatment options, including:
- Therapy: Providing approaches including CBT and ERP, either online or face-to-face to suit your schedule
- Residential treatment: Offering 24/7 care and support to help you focus solely on your recovery
- Intensive outpatient programs: Delivering a more intensive level of daytime support and care, whilst keeping your usual routines during the evening and at night.
Mission Connection also believes that treatment should be available to everyone. That is why we accept a variety of insurers, offer payment plans, and provide sliding-scale fees for those in financial need. You can learn more about these options on our payment page.
Are you ready to live a life free of compulsions? Contact us today to discover how we can help you take control back from OCD and look forward to a brighter future.
References
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (2025, August 21). Anxiety Disorders – Facts & Statistics. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
- American Psychological Association (APA). (2023, November 15). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). (2025, August 20). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/co-occurring-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
- International OCD Foundation. (2025, April 22). What causes OCD? https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/what-causes-ocd/
- National Health Service (NHS). (2025, July 28). Overview – Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). NHS Website. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/overview/
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, December 21). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432
- Stein, D. J., Costa, D. L. C., Lochner, C., Miguel, E. C., Reddy, Y. C. J., Shavitt, R. G., Van Den Heuvel, O. A., & Simpson, H. B. (2019). Obsessive–compulsive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0102-3
- Brock, H., Rizvi, A., & Hany, M. (2024, February 24). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553162/
- Nezgovorova, V., Reid, J., Fineberg, N., & Hollander, E. (2022). Optimizing first line treatments for adults with OCD. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 115, 152305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152305
- Law, C., & Boisseau, C. L. (2019). Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 12, 1167–1174. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s211117
- American Psychiatric Association. (2024, September). What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
- Office of the Commissioner. (2018, August 17). FDA permits marketing of transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-treatment-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, December 21). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Diagnosis and treatment https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354438
