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Do I Have OCD? 5 Warning Signs to Watch For

September 11, 2024

From unwanted thoughts to repetitive behaviors, the warning signs of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) can seem hard to pin down — at least, at first glance.

After all, who among us hasn’t knocked on wood from time to time, or indulged in some other superstition? Who doesn’t worry about leaving the oven on, or the door unlocked?

But at what point should you talk to a doctor?

We asked David Tolin, PhD, medical director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living, part of the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network.

5 OCD warning signs to watch out for

1. When an unwanted thought shows up, you give it your full attention.

“It’s totally normal to have an intrusive thought come to mind once in awhile. Most of us react with a shrug of the shoulders,” says Dr. Tolin. “The person who stops in their tracks, who responds with alarm — they may be headed down an OCD path.”

• Non-OCD reaction: “That was a scary thought. But let’s move on.”
• OCD reaction: “Why did I think that thought? What does it mean? How do I make sure it doesn’t come true?”

2. On a scale of one to 10, your worry goes to 11.

Our brains churn through countless thoughts each day, many of them unpleasant. The question is: Are you able to roll with it?

“There’s nothing about the content of your thoughts that means you have OCD,” says Dr. Tolin. “What does seem to matter is how much distress you experience as a result.”

• Non-OCD reaction: “I did not enjoy that thought! But it doesn’t mean anything.”
• OCD reaction: “This is a terrible thought. And I’m still thinking it. Which means it must be true. Something bad is definitely going to happen.”

> Related: Fear Versus Anxiety, and a Technique to Help With Both

3.  You spend a lot of time and energy trying not to think the thought.

“People with OCD attempt thought suppression much more often than people who don’t have OCD,” says Dr. Tolin — in other words, they try to use mental willpower or distraction to get rid of a thought.

And unfortunately, per research, it doesn’t work: “The one thing your brain is not built with is an ‘off’ switch,” says Dr. Tolin.

• Non-OCD reaction: “I just had that thought again. Not my favorite. But no big deal.”
• OCD reaction: “Stop thinking that. Just stop. Count, pray, recite Shakespeare — whatever it takes to block it out.”

4. You repeat behaviors in hopes of preventing something bad from happening.

Examples of OCD “ritualizing behaviors”:

• Excessive checking (ex. of locks or switches) to make sure things are safe
• Excessive washing or cleaning
• Mental rituals such as repeating words or numbers in a rigid way
• Excessive reassurance-seeking from other people

The key is not that you do this once or even a few times, but over and over.

“All of the above, if done repetitively, are a risk factor for OCD,” says Dr. Tolin.

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5. You have any of these OCD warning signs, and it’s interfering with your life.

OCD tends to be incredibly disruptive, consuming hours each day and getting in the way of normal activities.

If that sounds familiar, talk to your doctor.

“There are several proven approaches to treating OCD, from medication to cognitive behavioral therapy,” says Dr. Tolin. “Together, we can help you understand what you’re dealing with, and change your brain’s response to unwanted thoughts.”