Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A mental health condition that occurs when someone gets stuck in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intense distress—often anxiety, guilt, or a deep sense of unease.
Compulsions are the things we do to try to neutralize that distress or make the thoughts go away. These can be:
External behaviors (like reassurance seeking, confessing, googling, washing, or checking), or
Internal/mental behaviors (like replaying past situations, analyzing thoughts, counting, or checking your body for feelings or sensations)
Avoidance is another common strategy—staying away from situations, people, or thoughts that might trigger discomfort.
When most people hear “OCD,” they think of hand washing—but OCD can attach itself to almost anything.
Common themes include:
Religion or spirituality
Morality (“Am I a good person?”)
Relationships (“What if I don’t really love my partner?”)
Sexuality
Contamination
Fear of harming yourself or others
At its core, OCD often feels like a constant internal battle with intolerable doubt. It’s sometimes called “the doubting disorder” because of the relentless need for certainty—and the painful reality that certainty never quite comes.
A particular area of focus in my work is scrupulosity, a form of OCD that targets spirituality and religious practice. I have extensive experience working with individuals—especially those in the LDS community—who feel caught between their values and overwhelming doubt.
If any of this resonates with you, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep fighting this battle by yourself.
If you’re looking for answers or support, I’d love to connect.
For more information:
https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/
