“I used to unplug every single appliance in my house. Or I’d double-check every door in my house to make sure it was locked at night. It was like a panic come over me and I had to do something, and once I did it, I was ok.” ~ Jessica Alba
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a common mental health condition and anxiety disorder where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The repetitive behaviors caused by OCD can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.
Even if the person experiencing OCD knows their obsessions are not realistic, they have difficulty disengaging from the obsessive thought or stopping the compulsive actions.

How to treat ocd

Like many illnesses, individuals respond to varying treatments. For OCD, it is common to use a combination of medication and therapy. A type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) has proven very helpful in the treatment of OCD. ERP therapy relies on the principle of habituation and involves exposing the patient to the feared situation in a controlled manner, gradually increasing the degree of exposure. In utilizing ERP, it is important to work with an experienced professional whom you trust, and understanding that you may feel a little discomfort as you approach your fears.