Common OCD Compulsions

In-person sessions are provided in Tampa and virtual sessions are available throughout Florida and New York.

Avoidance

Avoidance is one of the most powerful compulsions in OCD. In fact, avoidance is one of the reasons the term “Pure O OCD” is misleading. Even when compulsions are not visible, avoidance behaviors are usually present.

Avoidance occurs when someone stays away from people, places, objects, or situations that trigger anxiety, fear, guilt, or disgust.

Examples include avoiding:

The more someone avoids triggers, the smaller their world becomes, and functioning often decreases over time.

Loved ones may unknowingly participate in avoidance by adjusting routines or helping the person avoid triggers. This is known as family accommodation, which is why we often encourage partners, parents, or other support systems to participate in at least one treatment session.

Reassurance Seeking

Reassurance seeking occurs when someone asks others for confirmation that their feared outcome will not happen.

Examples include asking:

Reassurance can also happen indirectly. For example, someone might say:

“I feel dizzy. I really hope I don’t have cancer.”

What they are actually doing is watching the other person’s reaction to see if their concern seems reasonable.

Although reassurance may temporarily relieve anxiety, it ultimately strengthens OCD, causing the person to seek reassurance more frequently over time.

Information Seeking

Information seeking is when someone searches for answers online in an attempt to gain certainty about their fears.

Common examples include researching:

Many people with OCD find themselves spending hours researching online. Unfortunately, the information rarely provides certainty and often introduces new fears.

Checking

Checking compulsions can be either physical or mental.

Physical checking may include:

Mental checking may include:

The type of checking usually depends on the person’s specific OCD theme.

Talking About the Obsession

Some individuals repeatedly talk about their obsession as a way to ruminate out loud.

This often occurs with health-related OCD, where someone might repeatedly discuss symptoms or physical sensations.

However, it can also occur with other OCD themes. For example:

To others, these conversations may appear intellectual or curious. In reality, they are often a form of compulsive rumination.

Confessing

Confessing is especially common in scrupulosity OCD, where individuals repeatedly confess thoughts or actions they believe may be sinful or immoral.

In some religious traditions, confession is healthy and expected. However, when confession is driven by OCD, it becomes a compulsion that reinforces anxiety rather than relieving it.

Self-Reassurance

Some individuals reassure themselves internally by repeating statements such as:

Although this may feel helpful, it is actually a compulsion. In Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), individuals often learn to replace self-reassurance with statements such as:

“Maybe, maybe not.”

OCD is fundamentally a fear of uncertainty, and treatment focuses on learning to tolerate that uncertainty.

Washing Rituals

Washing compulsions are common in contamination OCD.

Examples include:

Some individuals may spend hours per day washing or cleaning, which can also become financially costly when objects are repeatedly damaged.

Praying

Prayer can become a compulsion for individuals with religious scrupulosity.

Examples include:

Sometimes prayer is used as a superstitious ritual, even when the person is not struggling with religious scrupulosity.

Importantly, treatment is not intended to interfere with someone’s faith. Instead, the goal is to reduce OCD-driven rituals so that the person can experience a healthier relationship with their beliefs.

Repeating

Repeating behaviors can occur in many OCD themes.

Examples include:

Repeating often occurs in “Just Right” OCD, where the person repeats actions until an uncomfortable sensation disappears.

Perfecting

In perfectionism OCD, individuals may repeatedly redo tasks to eliminate any possible mistake.

Examples include:

The goal is to eliminate uncertainty about errors.

Apologizing

OCD often creates excessive guilt and people-pleasing behaviors.

Some individuals apologize repeatedly or provide disclaimers in conversation as a way to reduce anxiety about potentially offending someone.

Mental Compulsions

Mental compulsions can be difficult to recognize because they occur internally.

Common mental compulsions include:

Many individuals attempt to use logic or intellectual reasoning to solve their OCD. This often leads to endless mental loops where the person feels trapped in analysis.

Medication can sometimes help reduce the intensity of these mental compulsions, especially when combined with ERP therapy.

Give us a call for a free consultation today!

(813) 812-4940

Recovery and remission are possible, and effective treatment is available.

Happy Clients

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 92 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Bogaci Services 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Natalie Noel - great doctor, very professional with individual approach. It was a pleasure to meet her.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sabrina 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thanks to Anxiety & OCD Specialists and Matt, I’m now on the road to living a better life with my OCD. Matt is extremely patient, supportive, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend the intensive outpatient program to anyone struggling with OCD!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Fatima Sorabi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A review for Natalie Noel: hi everyone, I was dealing with severe anxiety for a long time, to the point where I felt completely hopeless. I had intense anticipatory anxiety and could not sleep before any event at all. The insomnia was debilitating and affected every part of my life. I was also carrying severe trauma and PTSD, and I truly felt like I would never be normal again. I tried everything — therapy, EMDR, neurofeedback, and so many other approaches — but nothing fully helped. After doing my own research, I found Natalie Neol and decided to reach out. From the very beginning, Natalie was incredibly insightful and compassionate. After only three sessions, she recognized that I was suffering from severe anxiety and OCD, and she immediately referred me to two excellent doctors for medication support. I scheduled an appointment with one of them, started treatment, and within a month my life has completely changed. I honestly cannot believe how different I feel. For the first time in years, I feel like I am truly living again. Just last week, I had a major presentation — something that would normally have caused overwhelming panic — and I walked in calm, confident, and did amazingly with no anxiety at all. I still can’t believe it. Natalie, God bless you. You are an absolute godsend. I truly owe you my life.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nate Ashby 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Natalie is the OCD specialist to see around Tampa! She is patient and willing to talk through things as many times as it takes. No case too tough for Natalie. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alayna Mann 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This center is great and extremely welcoming! I looked forward to meeting with Natalie and she helped me learn more about myself every session. She also helped redirect negative thought patterns and behaviors and taught me how to handle my thoughts better.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Judy Spigarelli 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mario Juster-Kruse truly understands my anxiety. Mario's guidance lets me unmask and speak my truth. After just a couple sessions, I felt noticeable positive changes. 30 years of talk therapy didn't get me to the results I need, but Mario's approach has me on the right path. Truly grateful!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jessica Rose 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been a client of Mario’s for almost a year after having some unexpected, tragic losses as well as coming out of a terrible marriage and being a Covid ER nurse. I’ve always been an anxious person but, after these events, it had become unbearable, and I lost who I was. Things got worse before they got better and the depression was eating at my soul. I feel extremely fortunate to have had Mario as my therapist. He has helped me rebuild myself one broken stick at a time and I’ve started reclaiming control of my life. I’ve had other therapists in the past for various things, but he has been the best I’ve had. I genuinely do not think I would have survived this past year if I had a different therapist and I am extremely grateful for all that he has done to help me. I highly recommend him for anyone seeking treatment.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Anja Alpendre 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are incredibly grateful for the care and support our child received from Nona Zamora. She is truly exceptional - kind, compassionate, and deeply knowledgeable. From the very first visit, she created a safe, trusting environment and took the time to truly understand our child’s needs. We felt heard, supported, and confident that our child was in the best possible hands. We were so lucky to be in her care and would wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for a thoughtful, skilled, and compassionate psychologist.