Is OCD An Anxiety Disorder, And Do I Have It?

Medically reviewed by April Justice
Updated February 28, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Anxiety is often a significant symptom in those affected by OCD, but is OCD an anxiety disorder? According to the DSM-5, OCD is not usually categorized as an anxiety disorder, although some organizations may still view it as an anxiety disorder. In general, OCD consists of intrusive mental obsessions and resulting compulsions that may temporarily relieve feelings of anxiety. It may also involve various tics. OCD can be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. You can start your OCD treatment journey by connecting with a licensed therapist online.

Need help managing your OCD symptoms?

What is OCD?

When people think of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the thought of someone aggressively cleaning or being extremely hygienic usually comes to mind. However, obsessive-compulsive disorder is usually much more complicated than that. 

While the DSM-5 may no longer classify OCD as an anxiety disorder and now generally categorizes it under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, it includes specific diagnostic criteria for OCD, including the following.

Obsessions

  • Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive and cause marked anxiety or distress, in contrast to worrying about a real-life issue
  • A purposeful attempt to ignore these thoughts, impulses, or images by thinking about other things
  • A knowledge that the obsessions are a product of their mind, as opposed to being delusional

Compulsions

  • Repetitive actions (physical or mental) that the person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession
  • The behaviors or mental actions usually prevent or reduce distress toward a particular setting
  • Actions might not always be affiliated with the content of the obsessive theme
  • The symptoms are not typically caused by anything else, such as a concurrent psychiatric condition or a substance

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Manifestations of OCD

OCD can present early in life, most commonly appearing during adolescence and adulthood. No matter the age, OCD can take many forms and vary between individuals. People with this condition can have compulsions, obsessions, or both, and they can be so severe that they interfere with daily life. Symptoms of OCD can come and go and improve or worsen over time.

Signs and symptoms of OCD can include the following:

Obsessions

  • Fear of contamination or germs
  • Aggressive thoughts towards self or others 
  • Unwanted taboo or forbidden thoughts involving harm, religion, or sex
  • Needing things to be symmetrical or in order

Compulsions

  • Excessive hand washing or cleaning
  • Repeatedly checking things, like making sure the stove is off or the door is locked
  • Counting
  • Arranging things in a precise way

Sometimes, people may do these things as a habit; not every ritual is necessarily a compulsion. But someone with OCD normally won’t be able to control these thoughts and behaviors, even if they recognize that they are excessive. They do not typically get pleasure from them, but they may experience relief from anxiety after performing them. People with OCD usually spend at least an hour on these rituals every day, and they can lead to significant problems in their daily life.

Tics

Some people with OCD experience motor or vocal tics. Motor tics can be defined as brief, sudden, repetitive movements, like shrugging their shoulders or jerking their head. Vocal tics can include sniffing, grunting, or repetitive throat clearing.

Do i have ocd or anxiety? What's the difference?

As mentioned, the DSM-5 may no longer classify OCD as an anxiety disorder.

OCD may now be part of a new category known as Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. 

This category usually also includes conditions like body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania (hair pulling), skin picking, hypochondria, and Tourette's Syndrome.

That said, some organizations, like the Department of Health and Human Services, may still consider OCD an anxiety disorder.

It can be accurate to say that OCD was once considered an anxiety disorder in the DSM, but clinicians generally believed it was distinct enough to have a new category in the DSM-5. OCD can still cause anxiety and worry to those affected by it, and these symptoms can be very debilitating.

Treatment options

Treatments for OCD and anxiety can be available. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms, one of the first steps you should generally take is to get a diagnosis from a licensed professional. This diagnosis may allow you to get treatment for OCD and anxiety, usually in the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

A form of psychotherapy known as CBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy has often been particularly successful for those diagnosed with OCD. It usually requires the individual to confront the sources of their fears and anxiety. 

The confrontation strategy is normally a specific type of CBT known as exposure and response prevention (ERP). This type of therapy typically results in modifying thoughts, perceptions, and emotions in problem areas. In a sense, you can train your brain to react differently (or not respond at all) to something that was once dreadful.

Psychiatric medication can also be an option for those with OCD, but you should always speak to your doctor or psychiatrist regarding medication options.

Navigating ocd with therapy

If you’re living with OCD, online therapy can be a vital part of your treatment plan. 

Online therapy often has many benefits. You don’t usually have to worry about making phone calls to find a nearby therapist with an open appointment slot or commuting to an office. With online therapy, the process can be simple. After you sign up, you can be matched with an available therapist to start treatment from the comfort of your home. You can usually reach out to your counselor outside of sessions as well, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can send a message, and your therapist will typically get back to you as soon as they can.

Research suggests that online therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder can be an effective form of treatment. A Cambridge study found that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was usually effective in decreasing symptoms related to OCD, saying, “ICBT is superior to the control condition in improving OCD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and general functioning”. 

Need help managing your OCD symptoms?

Online Therapist Reviews

“Liza has been tremendous. We have worked through my OCD issues with incremental steps and I really feel that I can tell her anything without judgment. I really appreciated that she validated my feelings and helped me on getting through my OCD journey. Thanks again Liza!”

“Very friendly, empathetic, and excellent communication. Fantastic descriptions of how our brain works and the thought functionality. Streamlined and easy to follow “homework.” He helps me stay on track (I am one giant tangent) and get to the root of the issue and he helps create a step by step game plan on how to effectively assist me with my anxiety and OCD.”

Takeaway

Although some organizations may consider obsessive-compulsive disorder to be an anxiety disorder, the DSM-5 generally does not. However, OCD often involves intense feelings of anxiety that accompany obsessions. Other symptoms typically include compulsions and tics. Therapy and medication are frequently used to treat OCD, and you can get started with therapy by joining an online platform where you can work with a licensed therapist.
Regulate anxiety in a compassionate environment
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started