Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the more misunderstood mental health conditions out there. Oftentimes, it’s characterized as someone who insists on straightening picture frames in other people’s homes, or who “likes things organized,” when in reality, OCD can be deeply distressing and disruptive to a person’s ability to function in all areas of their life. At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, our providers are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of OCD, ensuring clients receive appropriate treatment.
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This article offers an overview of what OCD is, how it shows up, and what the evidence-based treatment options are for people suffering from OCD.
What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
OCD involves a cycle of obsessions and compulsions that can feel impossible to break out of.
- Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that spark anxiety or distress.
- Compulsions are behaviors or mental rituals someone feels driven to perform in order to reduce the distress caused by the obsessive thoughts.
This back-and-forth creates a loop that can consume a person’s time and energy, leaving little room for the things that matter most. Even when compulsions happen “in the mind” and aren’t visible to others, the impact is still real and exhausting.
Common Symptoms
While OCD looks different for everyone, some common signs include:
- Recurrent, intrusive fears—such as worries about contamination, harming others, or committing morally wrong or destructive actions.
- Engaging in compulsive rituals like cleaning, checking, arranging, or repeating actions until they feel “just right.”
- Mental rituals, such as silently counting, reviewing, or seeking reassurance.
These patterns may provide short-term relief but rarely quiet the anxiety for long. Instead, the cycle tends to grow stronger over time, interfering with daily life, relationships, work, and wellbeing.
How OCD Affects Daily Life
Left untreated, OCD can be incredibly draining. People often describe:
- Spending hours each day stuck in rituals or intrusive thoughts.
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that trigger symptoms.
- Feeling shame about obsessions and hiding them from others.
- Struggling to concentrate, work, or fully engage in relationships.
Even when rituals are invisible to others, the mental weight can be heavy. Living with OCD often means wrestling with thoughts and rituals most of the day, every day.
What Causes OCD?
There isn’t one single cause of OCD. Instead, it often develops through a combination of factors, including:
- Biological/Genetic influences—family history of OCD or related conditions.
- Brain and chemistry differences—how certain brain circuits and neurotransmitters function.
- Life stressors or trauma—events that can trigger or worsen symptoms.
- Cognitive patterns—beliefs around responsibility, perfectionism, or the need for certainty.
How OCD Is Diagnosed
OCD is diagnosed by a mental health professional after a careful evaluation. Diagnosis typically involves looking at:
- The presence of obsessions and compulsive behaviors.
- The extent to which these symptoms are time-consuming, distressing, or disruptive to life.
- The extent to which the person is aware that the thoughts are intrusive and the compulsive behaviors are irrational.
It’s important to note: recognizing you might have OCD does not mean you’re “choosing” your thoughts or behaviors. In fact, most people with OCD are fully aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not directly tied to reality – but knowing this does not make them go away.
Treatment Options
OCD is often treatable. Many people see significant improvement with the right support. Common approaches include:
- Therapy
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—a specialized form of CBT—is considered the gold standard for OCD treatment. ERP involves gradually facing triggering thoughts or situations while resisting compulsions, breaking the cycle over time.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – ACT is considered an “adjunctive treatment” that can be used alongside ERP to improve outcomes. ACT helps people with OCD change their relationship with their OCD symptoms and move towards a more values-driven life. In contrast to CBT and ERP, ACT focuses less on challenging irrational thoughts and behaviors, and more on altering their reactions to them. ACT for OCD is currently being researched, but is showing promise as an effective treatment.
- Medication
- Medications such as SSRIs can help reduce the intensity of obsessions and compulsions.
- When SSRIs are ineffective for reducing symptoms of OCD, the tri-cyclic antidepressant Clomipramine is often prescribed. While Clomipramine is often very effective at treating OCD, it also tends to come with more side effects than SSRIs.
- Integrated Care
- Combining therapy, medication, and lifestyle support, such as stress management and healthy routines, often brings the best results.
OCD can also appear in less obvious forms, such as “Pure O,” where compulsions happen mainly in the mind. Even in these cases, ERP, ACT, medication and a strong support system remain central to effective treatment.
What Helps Along the Way
Recovery from OCD is possible, and progress often looks like:
- Understanding that intrusive thoughts are not a reflection of who you are, but instead are something that is happening to you.
- Building tolerance for discomfort instead of fighting against it.
- Working with therapists trained in ERP and OCD-specific treatment.
- Finding the right balance of therapy, support, and medication.
Moving Forward
Living with OCD can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to define your life. With the right treatment and support, many people find freedom from compulsions, peace of mind, and the ability to live more fully.
If you’ve recognized yourself in what you’ve read here, reaching out for help is an important first step. At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we have therapists who are trained in evidence-based OCD treatment and are here to walk alongside you. They will also refer you to a higher level of care if needed, as some people require a more intensive program in order to achieve and sustain relief from their OCD symptoms.
Ready to get started on the path to healing? Contact us today to be matched with a provider at one of our 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul locations.