Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a challenging and often misunderstood condition affecting millions worldwide.
In this article, we speak with Gail Wilson, M.Ed., LMHC, about OCD and misconceptions surrounding the disorder.
“Each step, no matter how small, is progress toward change and healing. Even deciding to seek help is a meaningful milestone,” Gail says.
Gail describes OCD as a “faulty alarm system in the brain, a signal that keeps going off even when there is no real danger.” In other words, the threat feels very real to the person experiencing it, but it is often imagined or exaggerated.
There are two core components to OCD, Gail says.
“Compulsions are the brain’s attempt to quiet those fears, but they actually keep the OCD cycle going,” Gail explains.
In other words, OCD is a mental health condition where there are obsessions, which are unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts or images, that cause anxiety and result in compulsions or repetitive behaviors a person performs because they think it will relieve their anxiety, and even prevent the fear or imagined threat from happening.
Many individuals suffering from OCD express helplessness regarding their obsessions and compulsions. “These thoughts, or fears, go against a person’s true values and cause deep shame and fear, despite the individual not wanting them to happen,” Gail explains.
When obsessions and compulsions take over, they can interfere with work, relationships, and everyday routines. Hours may be lost to rituals like cleaning, checking, or seeking reassurance.
Because much of OCD happens privately, many people carry guilt and shame, believing they’re alone in their struggles. Loved ones may notice requests for constant reassurance or difficulty focusing on daily tasks.
For example, in relationships, Gail suggests those with OCD may need extra reassurance from others to calm down obsessive thoughts and thought spirals. Those with OCD may have difficulty focusing or spend time on compulsions while working.
Gail underscored the value of seeking professional support for OCD, such as therapy. “While self-care strategies can be helpful for many mental health challenges, OCD often involves intense internal guilt and shame, making it difficult to manage alone.”
Gail says that her therapeutic approach includes confronting thought loops with compassion and awareness. For instance, if someone feels compelled to check something repeatedly in therapy, they might explore the belief that excessive checking will prevent harm.
“OCD treatment is highly personal. The right approach depends on the individual’s symptoms, lifestyle, and needs.” Gail explains.
In some cases, therapy explores family dynamics to see how patterns developed. Still, Gail notes the primary focus is usually on the present, helping clients manage symptoms in their daily lives.
OCD often comes with guilt, shame, and isolation, making it difficult to manage without support. Therapy helps people recognize the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, interrupt it, and replace fear with self-compassion, Gail explains. “A therapist can say, ‘You are not alone. Many people struggle with this. Let’s work through it together.’ That shared understanding is incredibly powerful.”
Because OCD functions as a faulty signal in the brain, the person experiencing the condition may not be aware that what's happening is concerning or a mental health disorder. Working with a compassionate therapist can help you to recognize and interrupt this cycle, Gail says.
Therapy helps clients recognize and interrupt OCD’s faulty brain signals, approach thoughts with curiosity instead of taking them as fact, develop tools to challenge obsessions and reduce compulsions, and replace fear and guilt with compassion and empowerment.
One of the most effective treatments for OCD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Gail explains:
“One of the most important things I teach clients is how to become an observer of their thoughts. When you can notice thoughts without automatically believing them, you gain space to respond rather than react.”
Between sessions, some of Gail’s clients keep a journal to track their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which she says helps challenge distressing thoughts with questions like: ‘Is this thought accurate? What evidence supports or contradicts it?’
Gail explains that CBT can be especially effective for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) because it helps someone identify and examine their thoughts, while also learning an essential truth: not every thought we have is accurate or meaningful.
Medication can also be a helpful tool when symptoms significantly disrupt daily life. Gail emphasizes that medication is not a quick fix, but it can help clients feel stable enough to engage in therapy fully.
Gail suggests that a medication consultation with a psychiatrist is often recommended when symptoms impact daily life. The process of a medication consultation for OCD usually involves speaking with a therapist about the pros and cons of medication and exploring options.
OCD is often misunderstood, which can make it harder for people to seek help or feel supported. Here are some of the most common myths, along with the reality behind them.
Recovery from OCD doesn’t mean eliminating all intrusive thoughts; it means no longer letting them control your life. Progress may look like responding with curiosity instead of panic, and regaining the ability to feel enjoyment again in situations that previously triggered anxiety or discomfort.
The ultimate goal of OCD treatment is freedom, freedom from fear, compulsions, and intrusive thought loops.
“Recovery is a journey,” Gail says. “Even after someone feels much better, continuing to use the tools they’ve learned helps prevent setbacks and supports long-term freedom from OCD.”
“The most important thing loved ones can do is be patient and encouraging. Supportive, compassionate guidance can make a huge difference in someone’s willingness to seek treatment,” Gail explains.
While friends and family can provide day-to-day support, professional help is essential. A therapist trained in OCD treatment has the expertise to guide recovery in ways loved ones cannot.
Encouraging a loved one to begin therapy and stay committed is one of the most valuable roles family members can play. Compassionate listening, celebrating small milestones, and remaining patient through setbacks all contribute to creating a strong foundation for healing.
“Recovery doesn’t mean perfection,” Gail explains. “It means living a meaningful, joyful life without OCD taking the driver’s seat.”
This will close in 20 seconds
