Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood, with myths and misconceptions clouding the true nature of the disorder. Many people think OCD is simply about excessive handwashing or quirky behavior, but for those living with it, OCD is a serious and often debilitating condition marked by distressing thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
As a mental health professional, I spend a lot of time helping parents, kids, and even other clinicians better understand what OCD really is—and isn’t. By clearing up these myths about OCD, we can break the stigma, improve understanding, and, most importantly, guide families toward effective solutions.
OCD Myth #1 – We all have some level of OCD
Uh, no on that one. This is one of the most common misconceptions about OCD.
OCD is a clinical disorder, and even though people often think that OCD means you are organized and or have a habit of cleaning, I assure you that individuals with compulsions related to germs or organization do not enjoy these repetitive habits. Instead, people with OCD experience an overwhelming and uncomfortable compulsion to do so.
OCD is a clinical disorder where a child experiences mental acts, intrusive thoughts, and fears (obsessions), leading to performing rituals or acting a certain way. OCD feels that you have to do certain things to stop perceived negative things from happening.
These repetitive behaviors are the OCD brain's attempt to end the obsessions and decrease distress and worry. It's like having a mental checklist of rituals that you feel compelled to complete just to ease those overwhelming and anxious feelings.
OCD Myth #2 – OCD is Always Genetic
OCD can result from genetics but also can result from other sources, including, but not limited to, anxiety disorders or medical conditions such as PANS/PANDAS/AE and Lyme Disease.
It can even be triggered by psychiatric medication in some cases, especially when medication is used “off label” or a person is struggling with an infectious disease or a high toxin level.
For most, OCD develops over time. Even when one has genetic underpinnings, our family's mental illness doesn’t define us. Anxiety or other clinical issues can be mitigated by lifestyle changes and learning healthy ways to cope with stress.
OCD can develop in response to post-traumatic stress disorder due to trauma, as intense anxiety can lead to a negative reinforcement cycle. The avoidance of uncomfortable emotions, sensations, and thoughts can fuel obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors.
OCD Myth #3 – OCD and Anxiety are the Same Mental Health Disorder
OCD and anxiety are different clinical disorders that require different treatments. Even though most see anxiety and OCD as similar mental health conditions sometimes, they are quite different. One of the most significant barriers to successful OCD treatment is misusing anxiety therapy, which can feed the OCD.
OCD typically starts with generalized anxiety in order to avoid a negative result, and this inadvertently negatively reinforces a behavior, which means it is more likely to occur.
It is sort of like feeding a barking dog in that every time you feed into unwanted and intrusive thoughts, you accidentally allow them to take hold, and then they are more likely to occur. Someone with OCD isn’t doing these behaviors on purpose; instead, their behaviors get reinforced at a subconscious level.
The good news is that OCD behaviors can be unlearned with the right kind of therapy.
Proper treatment always starts with a proper OCD diagnosis. This is why I always start with a QEEG Brain Map in our BrainBehaviorReset Program. With an accurate diagnosis, your mental health provider can pinpoint the actual disorder and develop tailored therapy and psychological treatments that meet your child's specific needs.
OCD Myth #4 – You Always Need Medication to Stop OCD Symptoms
Many people effectively treat their OCD without medication when they use tools such as neurofeedback and Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP). OCD psychotherapy should always be used before medication because it addresses the behavioral habituation component of OCD.
OCD results when brainwave activity is dysregulated in specific regions and neural networks. With OCD, regions that process emotional information, help you regulate stress, and apply the breaks and switch gears are highly impacted. When you look at the brain functioning of one with OCD, a clear pattern emerges that the region that regulates how one perceives stress is overactive.
And when their central nervous system is hyper-stress activated, they are too sensitive to seemingly benign stimuli and live in a constant state of activation or fright response. Neurofeedback works to safely and effectively calm brain and nervous system dysregulation so a person with OCD can learn how to talk back to their OCD.
Parents need to know that with suitable behavioral therapies and strategies to regulate the nervous system, kids can make incredible progress—without immediately jumping to medication. The best outcomes come from addressing the underlying dysregulation first, giving kids the tools to control their OCD, not just mask the symptoms.
At our Ridgefield, CT center, we work with children and teens with OCD in person and remotely at home by using neurofeedback to calm the nervous system and move a child to a more relaxed, parasympathetic state. With a regulated, calm nervous system, the person with OCD can have the bandwidth to take action and think differently because their brain isn’t hijacked by intrusive and unwanted thoughts. Neurofeedback calming one’s brain means a person experiences fewer intrusive and worried thoughts, mental compulsions, and irritated and angry behaviors.
OCD Myth #5 – You Can’t Have OCD and Be Functional
Many people with OCD are highly functional and go through periods of waxing and waning when the thoughts and compulsions might be less or more intense. Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors hijack a person’s brain and make the day to day very difficult. Repetitive physical mannerisms or rituals can affect daily life and regular activities. When your brain is constantly in a state of fright, it is hard to be connected, focused, and do even simple tasks if those intrusive thoughts and compulsions are intense.
OCD Myth #6 – OCD is Easy to Diagnose
OCD is misunderstood and often missed by medical and mental health professionals, as they lack the training to dive into the thoughts and behaviors of their patients. OCD is most commonly diagnosed as an anxiety disorder or depression. OCD also co-occurs at a high rate with clinical conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and PANS/PANDAS, and it may be missed as providers focus on the primary issue.
An OCD diagnosis is made by a medical or mental health professional after a one or two-part clinical interview. A highly trained OCD clinician will dive into what a person’s OCD triggers are, their obsessive thoughts and compulsions, and the intensity which they experience these behaviors. While people often joke they have OCD, it's not a laughing matter to people dealing with it. Obsessions and compulsions must occur an hour or more a day and interfere with their daily functioning.
OCD Myth #7 – Once You Have OCD, You Can Never Get Rid of this Mental Health Condition
Even though pharmaceutical companies want you to believe you will always need your OCD meds, through the use of specialized treatment like ERP and other evidence-based treatment, one can learn to manage and even eliminate obsessions and physical compulsions.
The key to combating OCD is to work with a highly trained OCD specialist who teaches you how to take control of your thoughts and learn how to tolerate being uncomfortable and break that negative reinforcement cycle.
Myths of OCD #8 – OCD is Purely a Mental Health Issue Caused by Overthinking
OCD isn’t just overthinking—it’s a direct result of brain and nervous system dysregulation. When the nervous system is stuck in overdrive, the brain misfires, creating an endless cycle of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive rituals.
Kids with OCD aren’t choosing these behaviors; their brains are stuck in a loop they can’t break on their own.
The frontal lobe, responsible for decision-making and self-regulation, and the amygdala, which controls fear and emotional responses, play a huge role in OCD. In a dysregulated state, the brain struggles to filter out intrusive thoughts, making them feel urgent and overwhelming. This drives the compulsions—actions meant to neutralize the fear or discomfort but that end up reinforcing the cycle.
Myths and Facts about OCD
To truly understand OCD, all these myths about OCD should be debunked. Misconceptions of OCD often overshadow this complex disorder. Misunderstandings about OCD, such as thinking it’s just about being organized or assuming it always requires medication, can delay proper and effective treatment to support children and teens struggling with it.
To truly address OCD, we need to calm the brain and reset the nervous system. Research suggests that neurofeedback is a powerful tool that can teach the brain to regulate itself, reducing overactivity in areas driving intrusive thoughts and improving connections in areas that support calm, focus, and flexibility. Evidence-based therapies such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy then build on this calmer state, helping kids learn to face their fears and tolerate discomfort without falling into compulsive behaviors.
When we focus on calming the brain first, kids have the bandwidth to think differently and make real progress.
If your child or teen is dealing with massive or little OCD, don’t wait to get them the right help. Don't think of this obsessive ritual as just a quirk. Addressing the root causes with specialized care can make all the difference in their emotional and mental well-being. Remember, a brighter future is possible with the right strategies and a calmer brain!
Looking for solutions? If you want to dive deep and understand OCD, check out our Natural OCD Thought Tamer Kit. Learn more here.
How myths about OCD affects your child?
Common misconceptions and myths about ocd can lead to delayed diagnosis and improper treatment, as they often minimize the disorder or misrepresent its symptoms. This can leave your child feeling misunderstood and struggling without the proper support to manage their condition effectively. Exploring common myths about OCD helps dispel misunderstanding, paving the way for better understanding and effective support for those affected.
What is the root cause of OCD?
One of the root causes of OCD is nervous system dysregulation. With a calm brain, kids can move past intrusive and repetitive thoughts and learn to manage their symptoms effectively. Remember, with the right support from OCD experts, this chronic condition doesn’t have to hold them back from thriving.
Can I give SSRIs to my OCD child?
When it comes to treating OCD, parents are often told that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the go-to solution and are commonly prescribed. But here's the truth: medication should never be the first step in managing OCD, especially for children and teens. While SSRIs can help some individuals by reducing symptoms, they don’t address the root cause—brain and nervous system dysregulation.
OCD is a behavioral condition rooted in the brain's response to stress and anxiety. Using SSRIs as a first line of defense is like putting a bandage on a wound without treating the infection underneath. Instead, therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and neurofeedback work to calm the brain and nervous system, allowing children to build resilience and manage their OCD more effectively.
Can OCD be treated?
There are natural treatment Options for OCD. OCD is a treatable condition, even though it's repetitive thoughts and compulsive actions can significantly impact a child’s daily life. While OCD often creates overwhelming anxiety and behaviors like being overly organized, effective treatment options can help people with OCD reclaim control and lead fulfilling lives.
Evidence-based therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) teach individuals to tolerate discomfort and reduce compulsions. Pairing treatment plans with tools like Neurofeedback helps calm brain activity, allowing for better emotional regulation and focus. Supporting this with consistent self-care, such as proper sleep, diet, and stress management, can further enhance outcomes.
What does OCD look like?
Each kid with OCD struggles differently. Not everyone will have the same manifestations of OCD, and it can affect a person's life differently, too.
OCD symptoms depend on their intensity level and type of obsessions and compulsions. Common obsessions include fear of death, germ and contamination concerns, cleanliness fixations, religious over-observations (scrupulosity), aggressive or sexual impulses, and symmetrical or organization obsessions are common. Common compulsions include checking, washing/cleaning, and arranging.
What are the other kinds of OCD?
Harm OCD is a subtype of OCD where individuals are plagued by intrusive thoughts about causing harm to themselves or others despite having no desire or intent to act on these fears.
Contamination OCD is another type of OCD where individuals experience intrusive fears about germs, dirt, or being exposed to harmful substances, leading to compulsiveness like excessive cleaning, handwashing, or avoiding perceived “unclean” environments. These fears are driven by anxiety about illness, infection, or spreading contamination to others.
Where can I find OCD support groups?
To help others with OCD, understand that it’s not just about habits or preferences but a struggle with intrusive thoughts and certain behaviors caused by anxiety. The International OCD Foundation is a valuable resource for finding support, providing education, and connecting individuals with OCD to effective treatment options and specialized providers.
How can ERP help treat OCD?
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard of treatment for people with OCD. Its systematic methods address the neurological and behavioral habituation of OCD and have a lot of research to substantiate how effective ERP is in reducing OCD symptoms.
ERP is a combination of Exposure Therapy and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) that gradually exposes a person to their trigger(s) so they learn how to be uncomfortable to the point where they can tolerate and ignore their trigger. Cognitive therapy and ERP combine deep psychoeducation about how OCD impacts the brain and behavior and the coping skills and tools that allow one to take control of one's OCD.
Citations:
Prichep, L. S., Mas, F., Hollander, E., Liebowitz, M., John, E. R., Almas, M., DeCaria, C. M., & Levine, R. H. (1993). Quantitative electroencephalographic subtyping of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 50(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0925-4927(93)90021-9
Barzegary, L., Yaghubi, H., Rostami, R., (2011). The effect of QEEG- guided neurofeedback treatment in decreasing of OCD symptoms. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, Volume 30. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811023469
Esmaeeli, S. (2021). The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Training on the Working-Memory of People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms. European Journal of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, 8(1), 1795+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A698747816/AONE?u=anon~76adea92&sid=googleScholar&xid=54dd8626
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a mental health expert who is frequently called up to give her expert opinion in the media:
- Insider – What is OCD?
- What to Expect: Why Does My Toddler Keep Pulling Her Own Hair?
- Parade: Olympic Boxer Ginny Fulchs Has OCD—Here's Why That Term Is More Complex Than Many People Think
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
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Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Licensed Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including The Mel Robbins Show, CBS, NBC, PIX11 NYC, Today, FORBES, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Women’s Day, Healthline, CNET, Parade Magazine and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.”
She coined the terms, “Re-entry panic syndrome” and “eco-anxiety” and is a frequent contributor to media on mental health.
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge has three decades of experience in working with children, teens and their families with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, concussion, dyslexia and learning disability, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and mood disorder, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS using science-backed natural mental health solutions such as supplements, magnesium, nutrition, QEEG Brain maps, neurofeedback, PEMF, psychotherapy and other non-medication approaches.
She is the author of three bestselling books, It’s Gonna Be OK!: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child's Mental Health, The Teletherapy Toolkit, and Brain Under Attack. Dr. Roseann is known for offering a message of hope through science-endorsed methods that promote a calm brain.
Her trademarked BrainBehaviorResetⓇ Program and It’s Gonna be OK!Ⓡ Podcast has been a cornerstone for thousands of parents facing mental health, behavioral or neurodevelopmental challenges.
She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, Neurotastic™Brain Formulas and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
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