Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): What to Watch For and How to Get Help

If intrusive thoughts, repeating rituals, or constant checking steal hours from your day, you might be facing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD isn’t just being picky or liking things neat — it’s a cycle that causes real distress and gets in the way of daily life. Recognizing the pattern is the first useful step toward change.

Typical signs include persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) meant to ease the anxiety those thoughts cause. Examples: repeatedly checking locks until you feel “sure,” washing hands over and over to prevent contamination, or doing mental rituals to cancel bad thoughts. When these actions take more than an hour a day, or harm your work, relationships, or wellbeing, it’s time to act.

Treatment and medications that actually help

The strongest evidence points to cognitive-behavioral therapy with a specific method called exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP asks you to face feared situations in a controlled way while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. It’s uncomfortable at first, but many people see major gains in weeks to months when they stick with it.

Medication can help, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine. These are commonly used at higher doses for OCD than for typical depression. Some people need augmentation — adding another drug or switching — and that’s something to discuss with a prescriber. You’ll find content on depression meds and alternatives on this site (for example our articles about Remeron and Wellbutrin alternatives) that may help you ask better questions at your next appointment.

If therapy and first-line meds aren’t enough, specialized options exist: higher-dose SSRIs, antipsychotic augmentation for some cases, and referral to an OCD specialist. Surgical or deep brain stimulation is for very rare, severe cases and only after many other options fail.

Practical tips you can try today

Want immediate, practical moves? Start small and keep it simple. Set a one-step exposure: if you check the door five times, reduce it to three, then two, then one. Use a timer to limit ritual time. Write down intrusive thoughts without reacting to them — naming a thought weakens its power.

Build a short daily routine: sleep, movement, and small social contact help your brain tolerate distress. Avoid heavy alcohol or sudden changes in meds without talking to your doctor — those can make OCD worse. If anxiety spikes or thoughts include harm or suicide, get urgent help from a clinician or emergency services right away.

Working with a therapist trained in ERP gives the best chance of lasting change. If you can’t access a specialist, some online programs and guided self-help with clear ERP steps are good temporary options. Keep a log of triggers, urges, and what you did instead — that data helps your therapist tweak the plan.

Want targeted reads? Check our site for articles on related meds, anxiety alternatives, and mental health tips to help you talk to doctors and choose the right path. You don’t have to figure this out alone — practical therapy and the right treatment can change how you live every day.