Living with OCD
We're creating resources to help people learn about OCD in the many ways it impacts their own lives—not just what it looks like on paper. You can search our resources to determine when your intrusive thoughts may be related to OCD.
We’re incredibly proud of the therapists in the NOCD network. Every one of them is trained in delivering evidence-based treatment
By Wilda Rodriguez-Barnett, MSW, LCSW
Your child may have inherited your green eyes, your laugh, and your love of horror films—but could you have passed on your obsessive-compulsive disorder
By Dr. Keara Valentine
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
It can be scary and discouraging for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to flare up all of a sudden, especially if your symptoms have been getting better
By Dr. Keara Valentine
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) doesn't always look like compulsively checking doors, washing your hands, or arranging objects in a perfectly straight
By Stacy Quick, LPC
Reassurance-seeking can be so subtle that you might not even realize you’re doing it. It may look like needing approval, validation, or confirmation. And
By Stacy Quick, LPC
John Green has had obsessive compulsive disorder since he was a kid. He won't sugar-coat it. It's not easy, and some days are hell—not just the compulsive
By David Berreby
If John Green is your favorite author, you have lots of company. His writing has a way of making you feel like you and only you are his audience. Like
By Peter Davis
Key Takeaways: Receiving an OCD diagnosis and effective treatment can take 14 to 17 years on average for adults. (NOCD) Around 2 in 3 people with OCD saw
By Jessica Migala
Guilt might be one of the most prominent emotions expressed by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While we often hear about guilt being
By Stacy Quick, LPC
Having thoughts involuntarily imposed on you that are the utter moral opposite of who you are at the core. These unwanted thoughts seeming to plague every
By Sina Tadayon
Sophie May is a 20-something singer-songwriter from the UK with a new song called “Tiny Dictator”—and the central metaphor is that obsessive-compulsive
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
This story discusses thoughts about self-harm. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the
By David Berreby
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Every part of someone’s experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is unique, down to the emotions they experience as a result of their OCD. For
By Stacy Quick, LPC
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Speaking it out loud takes away its power?” I’ve always really liked this statement, and I believe it to be true.
By Stacy Quick, LPC
On a daily basis, your mind is hijacked by intrusive thoughts that seem to go against everything you believe to be true about yourself or the world. You
By Stacy Quick, LPC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Do you feel constantly aware of where you’re looking? Are you worried you look at people too often or at inappropriate times? Does staring make you feel
By Patrick McGrath, PhD
Why OCD and anxiety are separate diagnoses, how they overlap and how to find treatment for both
By Dr. Keara Valentine
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex disorder that can become completely debilitating—even life-threatening—when it’s left untreated. The good
By Stephen Smith
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
You may have heard that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be very sneaky. As someone who lives with the disorder, I can confirm this to be true. You
By Stacy Quick, LPC
Ten years ago, Megan Ocando thought she knew OCD. She was in graduate school, earning her master's degree in mental health and training to be a therapist.
By David Berreby
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC