04/10/2026
When intrusive thoughts show up, it’s natural to want them to go away as quickly as possible.
But with OCD, avoiding or “fixing” the thought can actually make it stick around longer.
Approaches like ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) help you change your relationship with those thoughts by learning to face them without trying to neutralize the anxiety.
Over time, this can help the thoughts feel less powerful and less urgent. Recovery doesn’t mean having intrusive thoughts again. It means they no longer control how you respond.