Obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD treatment and therapy from NOCD

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.

8 min read
How to Embrace Joy while Managing OCD This Holiday Season

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year," or so the song goes. And while it's true that the holidays can be a time of anticipation and excitement, it's

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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8 min read
Understanding and Setting Boundaries With OCD

When you’re living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it can be challenging to know the difference between setting boundaries and performing

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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2 min read
Your Holiday OCD Toolkit

As much as many of us may look forward to the holiday season as a time of joy, celebration, and being together with loved ones, when you’re struggling

By Hannah Overbeek

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6 min read
Why OCD Can Cause Burnout—And What You Can Do About It

Feeling burned out? You’re not the only one. While burnout may not be a clinically diagnosed condition, it’s definitely captured our collective attention

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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5 min read
What if I Don’t Feel Strong Enough To Battle OCD?

Battling mental illness can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. OCD symptoms can create a fatigue that seems impenetrable at times. Getting out

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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7 min read
When Compulsions Backfire

This is a guest post by Alegra Kastens, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who founded the Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Eating Disorders. People

By Alegra Kastens, M.A., LMFT

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6 min read
Is Skin Picking A Sign of OCD? What Experts Say

Picking your skin is not a sure-fire sign of a mental health condition. Many people engage in skin picking behavior from time to time, such as when they

By Dr. Keara Valentine

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6 min read
Why should I sit in discomfort? A therapist’s view

As a therapist, when I first meet someone new for treatment, I start by saying that discomfort and anxiety are just feelings — not unlike any other

By Stacy Quick, LPC

Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD

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7 min read
What it’s like to be a mom living with OCD

As both a mother and a therapist who treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), I have been thinking a lot about all the ways in which my OCD has

By Stacy Quick, LPC

Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD

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9 min read
Why is OCD worse when I’m traveling or on vacation?

As we approach the summer, many people with OCD may be planning to travel. Vacation can be a time of great anticipation and joy for many people, a time to

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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6 min read
The Components of a Mental Healthcare Revolution: A Q&A with Demetrios Marousis, Director of Behavioral Health, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions indicate a pressing need for improved access and quality of behavioral health

By Grant Stoddard

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7 min read
How Social Media Can Trigger OCD and 3 Ways To Respond

Social media has exploded in recent years. It's become a space where opinions are shared, trends are born, and relationships are developed. We’re

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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7 min read
Do I have GAD or OCD? Here’s How You Might Know

Anxiety is worry, nervousness or unease about something that’s on your mind. Everyone worries or feels anxiety at some point in their lives — students on

By Davida Vaughn, M.S., Ed.S., LPC

Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD

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4 min read
Intrusive Thoughts: More Than Just Words (And How To Treat Them)

You hear an awful lot about “intrusive thoughts” as one of the key components of obsessive-compulsive disorder (it’s the “obsessive” part). But did you

By April Kilduff, MA, LCPC

Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD

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6 min read
4 Ways Your Values Can Help You Fight OCD

If someone asked you what your values are, how would you answer? Whether it’s compassion, honesty, loyalty, or kindness, our values are a fundamental

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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7 min read
3 Strategies to Manage OCD and Panic Attacks in Daily Life

A quickening pulse, rapid breathing, spiraling thoughts—a panic attack can be intense, both mentally and physically. The sudden feelings of fear and

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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5 min read
Why Does Winter Make My OCD Worse?

Shorter days, colder weather, and cloudy skies can all lead to a drop in a person’s mood or energy level and for people with OCD, they may also lead to an

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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8 min read
OCD and Social Anxiety Disorder: Are They Related?

“I shouldn’t have said that…now everyone’s probably judging me.” “They’re looking at me. Do I have something in my teeth?” “I’m going to say I feel sick

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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6 min read
3 Steps to Overcoming OCD-Related Loneliness

Have you ever felt like you were all alone in your struggles with OCD? Like the intrusive thoughts or compulsions you were experiencing were too shameful

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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8 min read
Feeling “Stuck” in the Past: OCD and False Memories

If your memories are the story of your life, you can think of OCD as an uninvited co-author. While almost everyone questions their memories from time to

By Stacy Quick, LPC

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