Understanding OCD: Symptoms, Myths, and When to Get Help
The term “OCD” is often used casually, but Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is far more complex than a preference for neatness or organization. It is a mental health condition that can significantly affect daily life. Understanding what OCD truly involves, and what it does not, can help you or someone you care about recognize when it is time to seek support.
What OCD Is
OCD is a clinically recognized anxiety disorder with two main components:
Obsessions – intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that create distress
Compulsions – repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at reducing that distress
Examples of intrusive thoughts include:
“What if I accidentally left the stove on and burn down the house?” (even after checking multiple times)
“What if I harm my baby without meaning to?” (despite having no desire or intent to do so)
“Did I run someone over without realizing it?” (leading to repeated drives back to check the road)
Unwanted mental images or urges that go against one’s values, such as sexual or religious blasphemy
Examples of compulsions include:
Repeatedly washing hands until the skin is raw
Checking locks, appliances, or light switches over and over
Counting, tapping, or arranging items until they “feel right”
Mentally repeating certain phrases to neutralize a feared outcome
These symptoms can take up hours of the day, create emotional strain, and interfere with work, relationships, or personal goals. With effective treatment such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), people with OCD can experience meaningful relief.
What OCD Is Not
Misconceptions about OCD can make it harder to recognize when help is needed. OCD is not:
Simply being neat or organized
A preference for order without distress if that order is disrupted
Occasional unwanted thoughts that come and go without significant impact
A personality flaw or a sign of weakness
What Treatment Can Look Like
The gold-standard therapy for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In ERP, you work with a therapist to gradually face situations that trigger obsessions, while resisting the urge to do the compulsive behaviors that usually follow.
For example:
A person with contamination fears might touch a doorknob and then delay washing their hands.
Someone who repeatedly checks the stove might practice leaving the house after checking only once.
A person with intrusive thoughts about harm might hold a kitchen knife while talking with a trusted family member, without engaging in safety rituals.
In session, we work together to create a “hierarchy” of feared situations, starting with the least distressing and moving toward the most challenging. You are never pushed into situations you are not ready for, and the pace is collaborative. Over time, the brain learns that anxiety can decrease naturally without relying on compulsions, and intrusive thoughts lose their power.
When to Seek Help
You may benefit from professional support if:
Your thoughts or rituals take more than an hour of your day
You experience high anxiety when you cannot perform certain behaviors
Your symptoms interfere with relationships, work, or the ability to relax
You have tried to stop on your own without success
OCD Treatment in Albuquerque
At TriPeak Behavioral Health, we specialize in helping people in Albuquerque and across New Mexico understand and manage OCD using evidence-based approaches like ERP. We work with you to reduce the impact of intrusive thoughts and compulsions so you can live more freely.
You do not have to face OCD alone. Complete our online form to send us a message, or call us to schedule an appointment today.