Is It Just Being Tidy, or Could It Be OCD?

People say "I'm so OCD" when they like their spice rack in order. But real obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't about being neat. It's about unwanted thoughts that won't let go, and the rituals people feel they have to do to quiet them. It can be exhausting and isolating. The good news: OCD responds well to the right kind of counseling, and you don't have to sort it out alone.

What OCD actually is

OCD has two parts.

Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that pop up again and again and cause real anxiety. Many people with OCD know the thoughts don't make sense, which can make them even more upsetting.

Compulsions are the things a person does to make that anxiety go away, at least for a moment. The relief doesn't last, so the cycle starts again.

It's not always about germs

Washing and cleaning get the most attention, but OCD shows up in lots of ways:

• Checking locks, the stove or the car again and again
• Counting, tapping or repeating things until they feel "just right"
• Needing things lined up or even
• Asking loved ones for reassurance over and over
• Replaying conversations in your head to make sure you didn't do something wrong
• Upsetting thoughts about harm or doing something you'd never want to do

Signs it's more than a quirk

It may be worth talking to someone when:

• The thoughts or rituals take up a lot of time, often an hour or more a day
• You feel real distress if you can't finish a ritual
• It's making you late, keeping you up or getting in the way of work, school or relationships
• You're avoiding places or situations to keep the thoughts from starting

How counseling helps

Fox Valley Institute therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD. Part of the work is learning to see obsessive thoughts for what they are. Another part is gently practicing not doing the ritual, in small steps, so the anxiety can fade on its own. You and your therapist set the pace together. Nobody throws you into the deep end.

Over time, the thoughts lose their grip and the rituals take up less of your day. Many people say they finally feel like they have their time back.

Kids and teens

OCD often shows up in childhood or the teen years. Kids may hide rituals or feel embarrassed about their thoughts. Our child and teen counseling uses age-appropriate methods and keeps parents involved, in person at our Naperville office.

In person or telehealth

Adults can meet in our Naperville office or by telehealth from anywhere in Illinois. You can learn more about individual therapy here.

Frequently asked questions

Is OCD the same as being a perfectionist or a neat freak?
No. OCD involves unwanted thoughts that cause real distress and rituals that are hard to stop. Liking things tidy isn't the same thing.

Can OCD get better?
Yes. Many people find real relief with counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the main approaches used for OCD.

Can children and teens have OCD?
Yes. It often starts in childhood or the teen years. Counseling for children and teens takes place in person at our Naperville office.

Does Fox Valley Institute prescribe medication for OCD?
No. We don't have psychiatrists on staff, and our clinicians don't prescribe. If medication might help, your therapist can talk it through with you, and you'd pursue it with a psychiatrist or your physician.

You don't have to keep fighting this alone

Call us at (630) 718-0717 or send us a text through our website. Tell us what's going on, and our intake coordinators will match you with a therapist who fits. You'll stay with that same therapist the whole way through.