Have you ever felt like your brain is stuck on repeat? Or maybe your teen keeps asking the same questions, avoiding certain places, or seems locked in rituals you don’t quite understand?
Most people think of OCD as a need to clean or organize but that’s just one version of it. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is much more complex, and it’s often misunderstood. People living with OCD may not even realize that is what is going on. They just know they feel anxious, overwhelmed, and exhausted by their thoughts.
At Milestone Counseling, we want to help you understand what OCD looks like, why it often flies under the radar, and how to know when to reach out for support.
What Is OCD?
OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It’s a mental health condition made up of two parts:
- Obsessions – distressing, unwanted thoughts that feel hard to stop
- Compulsions – actions or rituals done to relieve the anxiety caused by those thoughts
These thoughts and actions feel intrusive and out of the person’s control. They’re not enjoyable or useful. Most people with OCD know their thoughts don’t make sense, but that doesn’t make them go away.
OCD can be incredibly isolating. It’s not a personality quirk. It’s not just being “a little anxious.” It’s a serious condition that can interfere with everyday life.
Why OCD Often Goes Unnoticed
Many people with OCD don’t know they have it. They may say things like:
- “I worry all the time.”
- “My brain won’t shut off.”
- “I feel like something bad will happen if I don’t do this one thing.”
It’s easy to confuse OCD with anxiety. In fact, it can take 10 to 17 years for someone to get an accurate diagnosis. That’s years of struggling silently and often thinking their experiences are just part of who they are.
Citation from International OCD Foundation Article by Marni L Jacobs
Part of the challenge is that OCD doesn’t always look like what we see in movies or online. It doesn’t always involve cleaning or lining things up. In fact, for many people, it’s completely invisible from the outside.
How OCD Shows Up
Here are just a few of the many ways OCD can show up in daily life:
1. Contamination Obsessions
Fear of germs, illness, or “spreading something bad.” This may lead to excessive washing, cleaning, or avoiding certain places or people.
2. Harm Obsessions
Fear of hurting one’s self or someone by accident even when there’s no danger. A person might avoid driving, cooking, or holding a baby out of fear they’ll lose control.
3. Religious Obsessions
Excessive fear of doing something sinful, wrong, or immoral. This may involve constant prayer, confession, or reassurance-seeking.
4. Relationship Obsessions
Obsessive doubt about whether they really love their partner or if their partner loves them even in healthy relationships.
5. Sexuality or Identity Obsessions
Unwanted thoughts or fears about sexual orientation or gender identity. These thoughts feel intrusive and distressing, not aligned with how the person identifies.
6. Perfectionism Obsessions
Needing things to feel or be “just right.” This might show up as rewriting, redoing, or checking even when there’s no logical need.
7. Responsibility Obsessions
Constant worry about making a mistake or causing harm through inaction. A person may double-check doors, emails, or stoves for hours.
These aren’t just preferences or worries. They are invasive thought loops that don’t let up.
Citation from International OCD Foundation Article by Michael Vallejo
Why People Don’t Talk About It
OCD is often called the “quiet disorder” because so many people keep it hidden. Some common reasons people hesitate to get help:
- Shame: “What if someone finds out what I’m thinking?”
- Fear of judgment: Especially if the thoughts are violent, sexual, or religious
- Lack of awareness: “I didn’t know this was a condition—I thought it was just me”
- Stigma: Worry that they’ll be labeled or misunderstood
But here’s the truth: you are not your thoughts and you are not alone.
What Happens If OCD Is Untreated?
OCD doesn’t fade with time; it often grows. What starts as one worry can expand into multiple rituals, fears, or rules that take over more and more space in life.
Without support, people with OCD may struggle with:
- Difficulty in school, work, or relationships
- Increased anxiety or depression
- Missed opportunities or social isolation
- Low self-esteem or confusion about identity
But when someone finally gets help, the relief is real and life-changing.
Signs You Might Struggle With OCD
Whether you’re trying to understand what you’re experiencing yourself or concerned about a loved one, here are signs that OCD may be present:
- Feeling “stuck” on the same thought over and over
- Performing routines or rituals to feel “safe” or “right”
- Constantly asking for reassurance (especially in kids and teens)
- Avoiding people, places, or situations because of fear
- Distress or shame about certain thoughts
- A sense of guilt or fear of being “a bad person”
If these symptoms are interfering with daily life or causing distress, it’s worth exploring whether OCD might be part of the picture.
When to Reach Out
If you are reading this and wondering, “Could this be OCD?”, that is a great place to start.
You don’t need a diagnosis to begin a conversation. Whether you’re a parent worried about your teen or child, or an adult tired of feeling trapped in your head, talking to someone who understands OCD can help you get clarity and a path forward.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
At Milestone Counseling, we specialize in helping people untangle the confusing, and exhausting patterns created by OCD. You won’t be met with judgment; you’ll find understanding, compassion, and practical tools to help you regain your freedom.
OCD is real. But so is hope.
Ready to Talk?
Let’s take the next step together.
Learn more about Evidence Based Treatments that Milestone Counseling uses for OCD and why the right treatment is so important.