OCD: More Than Just Being “Particular”

We all have little habits. Maybe you triple-check the front door before bed or get irrationally annoyed when someone loads the dishwasher wrong (because, let’s be real, there is a correct way). But OCD? That’s not just being detail-oriented or liking things neat—it’s an exhausting, relentless cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions that won’t let go, no matter how hard you try.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) isn’t just about being “clean” or “organized,” and it’s definitely not a personality quirk. It’s an anxiety disorder that traps people in an endless loop of distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions) meant to ease the anxiety—but never really do. And the worst part? Most people with OCD know their fears and rituals don’t make sense, but that doesn’t stop the overwhelming need to do them anyway.

What OCD Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)

OCD is like having a brain that constantly gets stuck on the worst-case scenario. It throws out intrusive thoughts—disturbing, irrational, or completely out-of-character ideas—that get stuck on repeat. Then, to quiet the anxiety these thoughts create, your brain convinces you that you have to do something to neutralize them. That’s where compulsions come in: repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that temporarily relieve the anxiety but ultimately keep the cycle going.

For example:

• What if I didn’t wash my hands well enough and made my family sick? → Wash hands over and over until it “feels right.”
• Did I hit someone with my car without realizing it? → Circle back to check the road multiple times.
• If I don’t say this phrase in my head the “right” way, something bad will happen. → Repeat the phrase endlessly, just in case.
• What if I secretly want to hurt someone? → Avoid knives or sharp objects, just to be sure.

OCD doesn’t always make logical sense, and people with it know that. But the fear feels so real that not doing the compulsion can seem unbearable.

The Hidden Side of OCD: It’s Not Always What You Think

When people think of OCD, they usually picture excessive handwashing or someone who likes their space perfectly tidy. And while that can be part of it, OCD isn’t always visible. It can be entirely mental, with obsessive doubts and endless reassurance-seeking.

Some lesser-known forms of OCD include:

• Harm OCD: The fear of accidentally hurting someone, even though you don’t want to and never would.
• Relationship OCD (ROCD): Constantly questioning if you love your partner enough, if they love you enough, or if the relationship is “right.”
• Health OCD: Fixating on the idea that you have a deadly illness, despite medical reassurance.
• Pure O (Purely Obsessional OCD): Intrusive, unwanted thoughts without visible compulsions—though mental rituals (like rumination or repeating “safe” phrases) still happen.
• Just-Right OCD: The need to repeat actions until they feel exactly right, even if there’s no logical reason why.

OCD is not just about order or hygiene. It can latch onto anything, turning everyday thoughts into unbearable anxiety spirals.

OCD Myths That Need to Go

❌ Myth: OCD is just about being clean and organized.
✅ Truth: While some people with OCD struggle with contamination fears, many don’t. OCD can fixate on anything—morality, harm, relationships, even abstract fears.

❌ Myth: People with OCD just need to “relax.”
✅ Truth: Telling someone with OCD to relax is like telling someone with a broken leg to just “walk it off.” The thoughts are intrusive, the anxiety is overwhelming, and the compulsions feel necessary—even when they aren’t.

❌ Myth: OCD is rare.
✅ Truth: OCD affects about 1-2% of the population, but many go undiagnosed for years because their symptoms don’t match the stereotypical image.

How Do You Know If It’s OCD?

OCD isn’t just about preferences or habits—it’s about distress. It hijacks your thoughts and convinces you that unless you follow its rules, something bad will happen.

Signs you might be struggling with OCD:

• Intrusive thoughts that are disturbing, irrational, or out of character, but won’t go away.
• Compulsions—repetitive actions or mental rituals done to “cancel out” the thoughts or prevent something bad from happening.
• Extreme doubt—constantly second-guessing yourself, whether it’s locking the door or making a decision.
• Avoidance—staying away from places, people, or situations that might trigger the obsessive thoughts.
• Needing things to feel “just right”—repeating actions until they have a perfect, indescribable feeling.

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep living this way.

The Good News: OCD Is Treatable

OCD can feel like a life sentence, but it’s not. With the right treatment, the cycle can be broken.

What Works?

✅ Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): The gold standard of OCD treatment. It helps you gradually face fears without giving in to compulsions, retraining your brain to tolerate uncertainty.

✅ Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and challenge the thought patterns keeping OCD in control.

✅ Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help reduce symptoms for some people, especially when combined with therapy.

✅ Support and Connection: OCD thrives in isolation. Talking to a therapist (or even others with OCD) can help you feel less alone and more in control.

You Deserve Relief—And We Can Help

Living with OCD can be exhausting, frustrating, and isolating. It can make you feel like you’re stuck in an endless loop, battling thoughts that won’t leave you alone. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do this alone.

At Couples to Cradles Counselling, we specialize in helping people break free from OCD’s grip. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches like ERP and CBT to help you regain control—so OCD stops running the show.

Whether you’re struggling with contamination fears, relationship doubts, or relentless “what ifs,” we’re here to help. We offer:
✔ Personalized therapy tailored to your unique OCD challenges.
✔ Virtual sessions across Canada, so you can get help from anywhere.
✔ A compassionate, non-judgmental approach—because OCD is tough enough without feeling misunderstood.

You deserve relief. You deserve peace. And most of all, you deserve a life that isn’t dictated by fear.

Take the First Step Today

Don’t let OCD keep calling the shots. Book a free 20-minute consultation with us today, and let’s talk about how we can help you take your life back.

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