Get to know OCD

I Had Severe OCD. Now I Don’t Fear It At All

Shannon Shy was a Marine Corps officer when OCD became so severe that nearly every waking minute was consumed by obsessions and compulsions. He hid what was happening for

OCD Vs. Autism: How Can You Tell The Difference?

OCD and autism can look surprisingly similar from the outside, especially when it comes to rigid routines and repetitive behaviors. But the reason behind the behavior can

Is It Hoarding… Or OCD?

What's the difference between hoarding and OCD? Imagine two people who both refuse to throw away the same old birthday card. One keeps it because it holds a memory they’r

I’ve Treated OCD For 27 Years. Here’s What I’ve Learned

Dr. Patrick McGrath has been treating OCD for nearly 27 years, and there are still parts of the job that never get easier. He’s watched people suffer for years without th

I’m A Psychologist And I Still Didn’t Know I Had OCD

Santina Cilento works as a school psychologist, so she knew what OCD was. What she didn’t realize was that she had been living with it herself for years. The rigid rules,

Why OCD Makes You Question Your Own Memories

A memory feels a little fuzzy, and suddenly OCD wants an answer. Did that really happen? Did you miss something? Did you do something wrong without realizing it? What sta

Why OCD Makes You Feel Like You Have To Confess Everything

OCD can take something as simple as honesty and turn it into a rule: if you don’t say every thought out loud, you’re hiding something. That pressure can make people feel

5 Pieces Of Advice That Can Make OCD Worse

"Trust your gut” or “just stop thinking about it” — these might sound like helpful things to tell someone struggling with OCD, but they can actually make things worse. OC

She Worked On Beetlejuice And Jurassic Park And Did Not Know She Had OCD

Lynette Eklund spent decades building creatures and effects for some of Hollywood’s most recognizable movies, including Beetlejuice and Jurassic Park. Behind that career,

My OCD Recovery Inspired Me To Become A Therapist

Tandy Cyrus didn’t begin her career in mental health. She spent years working in juvenile probation, helping young people navigate difficult circumstances while slowly re

Thoughts Are NOT The Only Thing Intrusive About OCD

OCD isn't just intrusive thoughts. OCD can also create unwanted experiences that go far beyond thoughts — vivid images, uncomfortable feelings, intense urges, and even ph

Why OCD Can Make You Feel Detached From Yourself

Feeling unreal, numb, checked out, or like you’re watching your life from the outside can be terrifying. For some people with OCD, that disconnection becomes another thin

What The Lindsay Clancy Case Gets Wrong About Intrusive Thoughts

As the Lindsay Clancy case continues to receive national attention, references to “intrusive thoughts” have caused understandable fear and confusion for people living wit

I Wish I Asked For Mental Health Help Sooner

Rebecca Voskanian remembers sitting in a high school classroom shaking uncontrollably, heart racing, with no idea why it was happening. For a while, she assumed maybe eve

The Wrong Way To Support Someone With OCD

When someone you care about has OCD, your instinct is to help. You reassure them, check the locks one more time, answer the same question again, or help them avoid whatev

Can You Really Have High-Functioning OCD?

Someone with OCD can show up to work, keep up with school, maintain relationships, and appear completely fine... while still spending hours trapped in mental compulsions

An OCD Flare-Up Doesn't Mean You're Not Getting Better

When OCD symptoms suddenly get worse, it's easy to believe you've lost all the progress you've worked so hard to make. But a flare-up doesn't erase your recovery. Stress,

When Binge-Watching And Doomscrolling Becomes An OCD Compulsion

By itself, "watching one more" episode or scrolling through social media isn't an issue. But if you're using screens to escape your own intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or un

I Wanted To Make A Bigger Impact As A Therapist

Dylan Mckelroy didn't become a therapist just to listen — he wanted to help people make meaningful, lasting change. After working in community mental health, he found him

Emilia Fart Reveals The OCD Behind Her Online Persona

To millions online, Emilia Fart appears fearless, creative, and completely unapologetic. But behind that persona, OCD was quietly dictating her daily life. It influenced