Intense doubt is the hallmark of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is why it was once called the “doubting disease.” People with OCD fixate on worst-case scenarios: Will the house burn down if I left the stove on? Does this headache mean I have cancer? What if I accidentally hurt someone?
Many can relate to these kinds of worries, but those with OCD experience them as all-consuming obsessions that make it hard to function.
Our What is OCD? info sheet briefly covers the following OCD-related topics:
- explanation of OCD, obsessions, and compulsions
- list of common OCD concerns
- illustration of the “OCD trap”
- info on treatments
This handout is ideal for explaining OCD to newly diagnosed clients and their loved ones. It also serves as a helpful prelude to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard therapy for OCD.
