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OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Someone with OCD will experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause significant distress (obsessions) and they will attempt to relieve these feelings of distress or rid themselves of unwanted thoughts using repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions).

Someone with OCD might spend much of their day trapped in this cycle of obsessions and compulsions.

Some common examples of obsessions include:

• Fear of being contaminated with germs or dirt, or infecting others
• Disturbing and unwanted sexual thoughts or images
• Unwanted or forbidden religious thoughts
• Unwanted aggressive thoughts towards yourself or others
• The need to have things in a particular order
• Some common examples of compulsions include:Excessive or ritualized hand-washing and/or cleaning
• Excessive double-checking of locks, switches, and/or appliances
• Repeatedly checking on loved ones to make sure they are safe
• Excessively counting, tapping, or repeating certain words

OCD is complex and symptoms may range from mild to severe and can also overlap with symptoms of other mental health conditions. If you think you may have OCD or if your mental health is making it hard to go about your day, reach out to a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist, for support.

Not sure where to start? Take our 10-minute online assessment and see if Talkiatry is right for you.

Autism and OCD share some common symptoms, like repetitive behaviors, repetitive thinking, and obsessive thoughts, but they are two separate conditions with distinct differences.

Someone with OCD will perform rituals or repetitive behaviors in response to certain circumstances or situations and in an attempt to try and reduce anxiety or discomfort.

Someone with autism will perform rituals or repetitive behaviors as a way to self-soothe or regulate their emotions and will perform these rituals at any time, not necessarily in response to a certain situation.

Autism and OCD are complex and can only be diagnosed by a health professional. A psychiatrist can help you better understand your symptoms and treatment options.

There is no self-test you can take to determine whether or not you are experiencing OCD. Mental health conditions, like OCD, are complex and require a thorough evaluation from a qualified healthcare provider.

If you’re not ready to book that first appointment with a psychiatrist, therapist, or your primary care doctor to talk about the symptoms you’re experiencing, our online OCD test is a good place to start. While our OCD test can’t provide you with a diagnosis, it can help you learn more about your symptoms and give you psychiatrist-backed guidance on next steps.

The symptoms of OCD can be all-consuming and make it hard to go about daily life. While getting enough sleep and keeping your stress levels in check can help you manage your OCD, to find relief from your symptoms, the gold standard of care is usually a combination of medication and therapy. SSRIs along with ERP (exposure and response prevention) are one of the more common ways mental health professionals treat OCD.

Medication: Medication can be effective in the treatment of OCD, but it doesn’t replace the need for ERP therapy. The two work together to improve outcomes. Medications like SSRIs help reduce levels of anxiety as well as the frequency and intensity of obsessions and compulsions. People who benefit from medication will see an average of 40-60% reduction in OCD symptoms. Chat with your doctor to learn about different options for medications and to find one that’s right for you.

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy: This form of CBT refers to the practice of confronting thoughts, images, objects, and situations that may provoke discomfort, anxiety, or obsessions (the exposure part), followed by the practice, making a choice not to partake in a compulsive behavior (the response part).

ERP (exposure and response prevention therapy) and medication are the gold standard for treating OCD but there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding care. Everyone will respond to treatment differently so it’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider on a personalized treatment plan.

At Talkiatry, you can connect with a psychiatrist that specializes in treating OCD and have your first visit in days.

Take our 10-minute online assessment to find out if Talkaitry is right for you.