Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that an individual feels compelled to perform in response to those thoughts.

Obsessions:

• These are unwanted, intrusive, and distressing thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly enter the mind. Common obsessions might involve fears of contamination, fears of harming others, doubts about safety, or concerns about symmetry and order.

• You may recognize that these thoughts are irrational, but the anxiety caused by them feels overwhelming and uncontrollable.

Compulsions:

• These are repetitive behaviors OR mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules.

• The compulsions are intended to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession or prevent a feared event, but they often provide only temporary relief or no relief at all. Common compulsions include washing, checking, counting, or arranging things in a specific order.

Common Examples of OCD Symptoms:

• Contamination OCD: A fear of germs or dirt, leading to excessive washing, cleaning, or avoiding certain objects or places.

• Checking OCD: Constantly checking locks, stoves, or light switches, driven by fear that something bad will happen if they are not checked repeatedly.

• Symmetry and Order OCD: A need to arrange things in a specific order or symmetry (e.g., arranging objects or clothes to make them "perfectly" aligned).

• Harm Thoughts OCD: Disturbing, unwanted thoughts or urges, such as fears of harming others, harm coming to animals, images of acting violently, thoughts of harming yourself.

• Sexual Orientation OCD: Thoughts that you may be attracted to someone outside of your actual orientation

• Pedophilia OCD: repeated fearful thoughts that we may be or become attracted to children often resulting in avoiding content relating to children, checking arousal, seeking reassurance from others, even avoiding some common parenting tasks such as bath time and diaper changes. This can often effect parents and those who work with children.

• Scrupulosity OCD: intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to religious or moral issues, Compulsive behaviors aimed at preventing sin or ensuring moral purity, such as: Excessive praying or confessing , Checking and rechecking actions for mistakes ,Avoiding situations that might trigger sinful thoughts ,Self-punishment for perceived transgression

How OCD Affects a Person's Life:

• OCD can cause significant distress and interfere with daily activities. It can lead to spending excessive amounts of time on rituals (sometimes hours a day), which can affect work, relationships, and social functioning.

• Many people with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but they feel powerless to stop them.When you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it can feel like your mind and body have been seized by your distressing thoughts and uncomfortable emotions. It can be difficult to attend to what’s important in life, leaving you feeling exhausted, empty, and not like yourself.

OCD treatment can help you take back your life and help you choose to live by your values rather than living to avoid discomfort.

Many people seek mental health therapy to manage their OCD. Perhaps you've even attempted traditional talk therapy before but didn't see the results you wanted. That might be a sign that you're not receiving the right kind of therapy.

What is ERP?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that was specifically developed to treat OCD and OCD-related illnesses. Backed by decades of research, ERP that is guided by a knowledgeable therapist helps individuals extinguish fears and eliminate compulsive behaviors in a structured, supportive environment. At Still Minds Psychology, we specialize in helping individuals overcome Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy—the most effective, evidence-based treatment for OCD. ERP helps clients gradually face their fears while resisting the urge to perform compulsive rituals, breaking the cycle of anxiety and reassurance-seeking that keeps OCD strong.

It’s important to work with an OCD specialist, as research from the International OCD Foundation shows other therapy modalities such as traditional talk therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Hypnotherapy, Psychoanalysis, and Brainspotting have not been found to be effective for OCD and are not recommended for OCD. Start with first-line treatments like ERP therapy, as this have the strongest evidence for success.

During your sessions at our Fort Lauderdale office, you’ll work collaboratively with a licensed therapist trained in ERP to identify triggers, build tolerance to uncertainty, and regain control of your thoughts and behaviors. Over time, ERP therapy helps rewire the brain’s response to intrusive thoughts, creating lasting freedom from obsessive worries and compulsions.

I have helped many people overcome their OCD and live a life without fear. OCD is highly treatable, but many never get help out of fear of stigma and lack of trained providers who specialize in OCD.

Stop Suffering and take the first steps to get help today