What is OCD?
OCD is a condition marked by:
- Obsessions: intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress
- Compulsions: repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome
For example, someone might obsess about germs and feel compelled to wash their hands repeatedly. Or they might fear harming someone and mentally replay their actions to “check” they didn’t do anything wrong.
In OCD, anxiety is often linked to irrational or highly specific fears. Compulsions may offer temporary relief but ultimately reinforce the cycle over time.
What is gad generalized anxiety disorder
GAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders and is defined by:
- Excessive worry about everyday matters like health, finances, relationships, work, safety
- Difficulty controlling the worry, even when there’s no immediate threat
- Physical symptoms like fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and muscle tension
People with GAD often describe their thoughts as “what if” spirals. The worry feels constant and shifts from one topic to another without relief. Unlike OCD, GAD does not involve compulsions or rituals.
However, when anxiety becomes chronic, intense, and disrupts daily life, it may signal an anxiety disorder. Common types include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Phobias
- Separation anxiety
While each type has unique features, they all share persistent worry and physical symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating.
Can someone have both OCD and GAD?
Yes. It’s common for individuals to meet criteria for both disorders. Many people with OCD also experience generalized anxiety, and vice versa. Even when they co-occur, they require distinct treatment approaches.
Accurate diagnosis is essential. Mislabeling OCD as “just anxiety” can lead to ineffective treatment. For instance, reassurance-based CBT might help someone with GAD by calming their fears about health or finances. But in someone with OCD, the same reassurance, like repeatedly telling them they didn’t harm anyone, can become a compulsion itself. Instead of reducing anxiety, it reinforces the need to seek reassurance again and again. While OCD symptoms won’t completely disappear after treatment, symptoms can be managed.
How do I know which one I have?
Not always easy to distinguish, both OCD and GAD can involve worry, doubt, and distress. But these questions might help clarify:
- Do your thoughts feel intrusive, bizarre, or out of character?
- Do you perform rituals or mental acts to feel “safe” or “just right”?
- Is your worry focused on real-life concerns, or does it center around unlikely or irrational fears?
- Do you feel like you “have to” do certain things to prevent something bad?
Therapists for OCD near me
If you’re unsure, complete a form by clicking on the blue button below and we can talk more about your symptoms. As a therapist who specializes in anxiety and OCD, I can help. During the consultation, we will discuss your symptoms and how they are affecting you as well as strategies for change.
Let’s Talk About What is Going On
