OCD is more than being particular.
UNDERSTANDING OCD
OCD involves unwanted obsessions, compulsions, or both — including private mental rituals with nothing visible happening. It is a treatable pattern, not a flaw in character.
Not just liking order
OCD is a health condition, not neatness or perfectionism.
Compulsions can be mental
Reviewing, counting, praying, or canceling a thought all count.
Evaluation comes first
Anxiety, trauma, tic disorders, and illness anxiety can overlap.
A SIMPLE WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT
When the gearshift gets stuck
Part of the brain works like an automatic transmission, shifting smoothly from one thought to the next. In OCD it can get stuck in gear, repeating a “something is wrong, check it again” signal. A compulsion is like flooring the gas while still stuck — brief relief, but the signal returns.
It does not look the same for everyone.
COMMON PATTERNS
Contamination & cleaning
Fear of germs, illness, bodily fluids, chemicals, or spreading contamination.
Harm & responsibility
Fear of causing harm, failing to prevent it, or being responsible for danger.
Morality & identity
Repeated doubt about faith, character, identity, attraction, or relationships.
Symmetry & “just right”
A strong need for things to feel even, exact, complete, or correctly arranged.
Could these be OCD symptoms?
COMMON SIGNS
Fear of contamination, illness, or spreading harm
Fear of making a mistake or losing control
Unwanted sexual, religious, or violent thoughts
Doubt about relationships, identity, or memory
Obsessions
Checking locks, appliances, messages, or memories
Washing, cleaning, arranging, counting, or repeating
Seeking reassurance or repeatedly confessing
Mentally reviewing, praying, or canceling thoughts
Compulsions
WHAT MAY CONTRIBUTE
There is rarely one single cause. Evaluation looks at the full picture before any treatment is recommended.
Brain circuits involved in threat detection and habit learning
Genetics and family history
Temperament and sensitivity to uncertainty or responsibility
Stressful or traumatic events, pregnancy, or postpartum periods
Care built on your evaluation.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Comprehensive OCD evaluation
We review obsessions, compulsions, mental rituals, avoidance, insight, time burden, and safety.
Medication review
Expected benefits, common side effects, alternatives, dosing, and the time needed to judge response.
ERP referral & coordination
When specialized therapy fits, we refer to an exposure and response prevention clinician.
Follow-up & monitoring
We track distress, rituals, avoidance, time burden, functioning, and progress over time.
01
You share what has been happening. We review your history, health, sleep, medications, and daily functioning.
We listen and review
02
We discuss whether this concern — or something else — better explains your symptoms.
We clarify
03
We review options, agree on next steps, and set a follow-up rhythm that fits your life.
We plan together
Start with an evaluation.
Telehealth throughout California, with in-person and mobile visits in Los Angeles County. Free 15-minute consultation.
An evaluation does not guarantee an OCD diagnosis or a prescription. Recommendations are based on your history, symptoms, health, safety, and daily functioning.