5 Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that can change the course of your life, causing distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Beyond recognizing that you’re not alone, remember that you have support and treatment options to get your life back on track.

At Cornerstone Psychiatry in Lindon, Utah, experienced psychiatrist Rebecca Harvey, DNP, brings decades of expertise in psychiatry to help you navigate the challenges of OCD. Her comprehensive approach focuses on providing personalized care to guide you toward a path of healing and well-being. 

Not sure if you have OCD? Here are five common signs of OCD, how they manifest, and why it’s important to address them. 

1. Intrusive thoughts 

Intrusive thoughts are exactly what they sound like — unwanted, distressing thoughts or images that pop into your mind and cause significant anxiety. These thoughts are often difficult to control and can be distressing.

Examples

Fear of harming others, worries about contaminations, or concerns about making a catastrophic mistake. 

Impact 

Persistent thoughts can lead to significant distress and preoccupation, interfering with daily activities and causing significant emotional discomfort. 

2. Compulsive behaviors 

Much like intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors are repetitive actions that can disrupt your life. People with OCD perform these tasks to alleviate the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. They often feel driven to carry out these rituals to prevent a feared event or to reduce discomfort. 

Examples

Washing hands repeatedly, checking locks, or counting objects. 

Purpose

Although used to reduce anxiety, these repeated actions often provide only temporary relief and can become time-consuming and interfere with life. 

3. Need for symmetry and order

A strong need for symmetry and order is another common sign of OCD. If this sounds familiar, you might feel a compelling need to arrange or organize objects in a particular way to feel “right” or to prevent discomfort. 

Examples

Aligning items on a shelf, arranging clothes in a specific order, or ensuring that objects are perfectly symmetrical. 

Effect

The need for order can become overwhelming, leading to significant time spent arranging and reorganizing. 

4. Excessive doubts and checking

Often driven by fear of potential consequences, excessive doubts and checking behaviors are characterized by a constant need to verify or ensure that something has been done correctly. 

Examples

Checking if the door is locked multiple times, re-reading texts or emails to ensure they are error-free, or repeatedly checking appliances to make sure they are turned off.

Consequence

These repetitive checking behaviors can consume significant time and energy, leading to frustration and interference with normal activities. 

5. Avoidance of triggers 

If you struggle with OCD, you might also engage in the avoidance of triggers — specific situations or objects that provoke your obsessive thoughts or anxiety. This avoidance can severely limit your daily activities and social interactions. 

Examples

Avoiding places perceived as dirty, staying away from certain people or situations that cause anxiety, or refraining from activities that might trigger obsessive thoughts. 

Impact

While avoidance may provide temporary relief, this can also contribute to more anxiety over time and limit your ability to live a more fulfilling life. 

Ultimately, understanding and recognizing the signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the first step toward managing your condition effectively. If you’re ready to reach out for professional help and get the support you need to improve your life, call us at 801-823-4224 or use our online booking tool today to request your appointment at Cornerstone Psychiatry.