Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common but often misunderstood mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive internal and/or external behaviors (compulsions) that individuals feel driven to preform. These thoughts and actions often lead to intense distress, interfering with daily functioning, relationships, and ability to enjoy life.

Common Obsessions:

• Fear of contamination (e.g. germs, illness, undesirable traits)
• Fear of harming oneself or others (e.g. physically or emotionally) 
• Fear of making a mistake (e.g. decisions/choices leading to catastrophic outcomes)
• Need for symmetry, exactness, or completeness (e.g. things feeling "just right") 
• Fear of losing control (e.g. leading to impulsive or destructive actions)
• Doubts about safety (e.g. fires, break-ins, accidents, illness, financial insecurity) 
• Religious or moral obsessions (e.g. blasphemous thoughts, moral perfectionism)
• Autogenous fears (e.g. fears about one's sexuality, morality, capacity for violence, competence)
• Relationship Fears (e.g. doubts about one's feelings for their romantic partner, fear of being in the "wrong" relationship)

Common Compulsive Behaviors:

• Ruminating/Compulsive reasoning (e.g. attributing meaning, rationalizing, mental review, self-reassurance, predicting)
• Neutralizing Thoughts (e.g. thinking "healthy" after seeing the word "cancer")
• Reassurance Seeking (e.g. asking others for confirmation or validation) 
• Compulsive Praying (e.g. excessive or perfectionist prayer)
• Visualizing (e.g. mentally picturing positive outcomes or safety)
• Excessive Washing or Cleaning 
• Excessive Checking (e.g. repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or personal items)
• Repeating Actions (going in and out of doors, repeating phrases, touching objects, counting)
• Avoidance Behaviors (ie situations, thoughts, any stimuli that might be triggering)

Evidence-Based Treatment

The gold standard treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This therapeutic method empowers OCD sufferer's to confront their fears gradually, while learning to overcome the compulsive behaviors that keep them trapped in a cycle of escape and avoidance. At the OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center of Maryland, clients gain a comprehensive understanding of both the factors involved in the development and maintenance of their OCD, as well as the how's and why's of treatment, before embarking, at their own pace, on ERP.  Non-engagement responses, which include elements of response prevention, exposure, and mindfulness, are often incorporated to facilitate disengagement from mental compulsions such as rumination and compulsive reasoning. Additionally, the development of a strong therapeutic relationship involving trust, empathy, and collaboration is an essential component of ERP treatment.

Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT), and other evidence based interventions are often used adjunctively to compliment ERP, supporting treatment goals and empowering clients to reclaim their time, energy, and ability to enjoy life.