Therapy Thoughts - The Difference Between OCD and Anxiety

Therapy Thoughts - The Difference Between OCD and Anxiety

The difference between OCD and anxiety can be subtle and difficult to detect. Most individuals with OCD also have generalized anxiety, which can make it even more confusing to know the difference. Some of the key things to look for include: thoughts that cannot be stopped, self-soothing behaviors that feel uncontrollable, overall feeling “stuck”, and feeling stuck on these thoughts even when they don’t “make sense.” Self-soothing behaviors can be as obvious as hand washing over and over or as subtle as thoughts going in circles such as “if I just think this through some more, I can figure out a way to make it better.”

Differentiating the two is important as the treatments are different. OCD treatment takes a focus on exposure therapy and working through the compulsive responses while anxiety works on thought challenging and soothing the nervous system. 

Angela Harris Counseling at Dallas Nutritional Counseling

Angela Harris LCSW, CEDS is a licensed clinical social worker and eating disorder expert who specializes in treating eating disorders, dissociative disorders, and trauma. She provides EMDR and EMDR consutlation and offices within Dallas Nutritional Counseling.

To learn more, go to angelaharriscounseling.com

Therapy Thoughts - Angela Harris Counseling at Dallas Nutritional Counseling, The Difference Between OCD and Anxiety