Dealing with OCD

Healthy Living

By Dr. Maddy Free On Feb 6, 2026

“I’m so OCD” is a common phrase used to describe being organized or particular, but in reality, OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is much more complex and can cause significant distress or impairment for impacted individuals.

OCD is a neurobiological mental health condition impacting about 2% of the population. The condition involves reoccurring unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress, including feelings of anxiety, guilt, disgust or extreme discomfort. In an attempt to manage these uncomfortable feelings, individuals may perform certain rituals or strive to suppress the uncomfortable thoughts or urges. Additionally, individuals often find themselves avoiding situations that trigger their OCD, which inevitably makes their world smaller and limited.

One of the most well-known OCD themes centers around contamination. Individuals with contamination OCD obsess about coming into contact with various contaminants including germs, poisons, chemicals or diseases. These individuals may engage in a variety of compulsions (handwashing, disinfecting, scanning surroundings, obsessive Googling) or avoid things perceived as contaminated.

OCD themes may involve the following obsessions:

• Fears around causing harm to a loved one
• Constant worry about being in the wrong relationship
• Relentlessly questioning one’s own identity
• Preoccupations surrounding religion, morality or being a “good person”
• Persistent nagging uncertainty if an event or situation took place
• Intense discomfort if something doesn’t feel or look “just right”

While OCD is chronic in nature, the proper treatment can deliver significant symptom reduction.

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP): Treatment involves learning how to tolerate uncertainty by facing your fears (thoughts, situations) without ritualizing.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are a class of medication commonly used to treat OCD. These medications can work in tandem with therapeutic treatment.

Data collection: When meeting with a mental health professional, it can be helpful to provide examples of your obsessions/compulsions and their frequencies.

Mindfulness: Being aware in the moment when you’re obsessing is a helpful first step in fighting back against your OCD. This skill allows you to gently pull yourself away from your obsession and engage in behaviors that align with your goals.

Tolerating uncertainty: The crux of recovery centers on tolerating life’s uncertainties and experiencing acceptance over what you can control and what you cannot.

About the Author: Dr. Maddy Free is the owner of the private practice Freedom From Anxiety and OCD. She is a licensed psychologist with expertise in evidenced-based therapies to treat OCD and anxiety related disorders. Visit Freedomfromanxietyandocd.com or call 732-630-9590 for more information.

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