OCD and Anxiety Treatment

What is OCD and Anxiety?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that cause significant distress. To alleviate this distress or prevent a feared outcome, individuals engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions), which provide temporary relief but ultimately reinforce the cycle of OCD.

OCD often presents in common themes or subtypes, some of which are listed below. However, it’s important to note that OCD can manifest in countless ways, often in unexpected and highly individualized forms. It tends to target a person’s deepest values, making its presence feel particularly distressing and personal.

Some Common OCD Subtypes:

• Harm

• Scrupulosity

• Sexual Orientation

• Relationship

• Pedophilia

• False Memory

• Existential

• Symmetry/Perfectionism

• Just Right

• Contamination

• Sensorimotor

• Health

Some Common Anxiety Disorders:

• Panic Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Specific Phobias

• Illness Anxiety Disorder

• Somatic Symptom Disorder

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, danger, or uncertainty, characterized by feelings of worry, fear or unease. While occasional anxiety is typical, excessive or persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder. These conditions can cause intrusive thoughts, physical symptoms, and avoidance behaviors, often reinforcing the anxiety cycle. Fortunately, evidence-based treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be highly effective in managing certain anxiety disorders.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the leaeding, evidence-based therapy for treating OCD and related anxiety disorders. ERP focuses on reducing compulsions and safety behaviors that reinforce symptoms over time. By gradually confronting fears without engaging in compulsions, individuals can break free from the OCD or anxiety cycle, leading to a significant reduction in symptom intensity, duration, and overall distress. Unlike other therapeutic approaches, such as talk therapy, reassurance-based interventions, or relaxation techniques, ERP directly targets the mechanisms that sustain OCD and anxiety. These other methods, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently reinforce symptoms and make them worse over time.

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Exposure and Response Prevention

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility by shifting their relationship with distressing thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to control or eliminate unwanted thoughts, ACT teaches individuals to acknowledge them without judgment while taking meaningful actions based on their values. When combined with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), ACT enhances treatment by helping individuals tolerate discomfort, reduce avoidance, and stay committed to exposures. Together, these approaches empower individuals to break free from the OCD and anxiety cycle while building a life driven by values rather than fear.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Struggling? Don't wait.

If you have any questions about the therapies, feel free to reach out.

When should I call?

• Your daily life is being disrupted – OCD or anxiety is interfering with work, school, relationships, or daily responsibilities.

• You feel trapped in a cycle – Compulsions, avoidance, or intrusive thoughts are consuming your time and energy.

• Anxiety is making decisions for you – Fear and discomfort are guiding your choices rather than your values.

• Other therapies haven’t helped – General talk therapy, reassurance, or coping strategies aren’t providing lasting relief.

• You're ready to take back control – You want to break free from OCD or anxiety and start living in alignment with what truly matters to you.