Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is no walk in the park. As a clinical psychologist based in Arlington, Virginia, I specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for OCD that helps people reclaim their lives from endless cycles of obsessions and...

Many people associate OCD primarily with cleanliness, organization, or being very detail-oriented. While those symptoms can occur, OCD is often much more complex and distressing than the stereotypes people commonly see portrayed online or in popular culture.

Misunderstandings about OCD can sometimes delay treatment, increase shame, or make it harder for people to recognize what they are experiencing.