October is OCD Awareness Month
October is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to breaking the stigma, dispelling stereotypes, and educating the public.
What is OCD?
OCD is defined as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. One part of OCD is the “obsessions.” Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts that create mental strain and distress for an individual. (e.g., fear, anxiety, doubt). Compulsions are the behaviors that one engages in to get “rid” of the obsession. OCD can be very debilitating and cause extreme stress in day-to-day life.
What does OCD Look Like?
OCD can show up in many different ways and often looks different for each person. Here are a few examples of forms and obsessions people may experience.
Contamination Obsessions:
- Fear of coming into contact with contaminated items that could make you ill. (e.g., body fluids, germs, chemicals, etc.)
Responsibility Obsessions:
- Fear of being responsible for something terrible happening (e.g., fire, burglary, car accident)
- Fear of harming others because of not being careful enough (e.g., dropping something and someone slips, not locking the door)
Perfectionism-related Obsessions:
- Excessive concern about evenness or exactness
- Excessive concern with a need to know or remember
- Fear of losing or forgetting important information
- Excessive concern with performing tasks “perfectly” or “correctly”
- Fear of making mistakes
What can you do in moments of need?
Facts over Thoughts: Sometimes, in the midst of acting on a compulsion, you act on thoughts, not facts. Remind yourself of what is true. What are your thoughts? Reminding yourself of facts over thoughts will help reroute your brain and compulsions.
15-minute Rule: Pause and commit to waiting 15 minutes before acting upon the compulsion. Once the 15 minutes pass, check in with yourself and see if the urge or urgency has weakened or passed. This helps delay the compulsion, train your brain, and break the negative reinforcement cycle (Hope Therapy Center, 2026).
Next Steps:
Understanding OCD and going against stereotypes is hard. Seeking help may feel even harder to some people. There are resources out there. If you feel that you need support, here are some resources below:
- Talk to your pediatrician or doctor if you suspect you are suffering from OCD
- Book an appointment with your local Tribal or Uban Health Clinic
- Find a therapist or psychiatrist in your area for support
Resources:
- Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
- Headway: https://headway.co/
- American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/finding-good-therapist
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy that supports treating OCD. ERP supports confronting triggers and choosing not to perform compulsive rituals (International OCD Foundation, N.D.).
- The International OCD Foundation at https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ or reach out to a mental health, OCD, or medical professional for guidance and support.
Sources:
Coyner, S. (2025, October 1). October is OCD awareness month! Grow Wellness Group. https://www.growwellnessgroup.com/blog-posts/october-ocd-awareness-month
International OCD Foundation. (n.d.). What is OCD? https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/
Hope Therapy Center. (2026, August 27). What is the 15-minute rule for OCD? https://hope-therapy-center.com/ocd-treatment-whats-the-15-minute-rule-for-ocd/
October is OCD Awareness Month! (n.d.) https://www.growwellnessgroup.com/blog-posts/october-ocd-awareness-month
Author: Kaya Fernandes, 2026 We R Native Ambassador, is a member of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe and currently serves as an Executive Assistant at Urban Native Education Alliance in Seattle, Washington. She has earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Western Washington University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in education from the University of Washington – Tacoma. Throughout her professional and educational career, Kaya has remained committed to serving Indigenous youth.
