Understanding OCD and Why Awareness Week Matters
By : Katherine Pica LCSW
Why OCD Awareness Week Is So Important?
OCD is so often misunderstood. Many think of OCD as just a quirk or being extra clean, neat or organized. We have all heard the phrase “I’m SO OCD” misused. The reality of OCD is much more complex and so much more impairing. OCD is not so much about being being neat and clean and more so about the fear that drives the behavior. People with OCD are actually struggling with intrusive thoughts, fears, rumination and compulsions that they feel they have absolutely no control over. These are very distressing and can interfere with almost every aspect of life. OCD Awareness Week challenges these misconceptions and replaces stereotypes with facts, empathy, and education.
By spreading accurate information, we help more people recognize the signs of OCD and understand that it’s not a personality trait or quirk. OCD is a treatable condition! OCD Awareness Week is such an important time for the mental health community, but for me personally, it goes much deeper. As both a therapist specializing in OCD and someone with lived experience, this week is an important reminder of why I do the work I do! It reminds me why it's so important to build awareness of OCD.
Evidenced based treatment for OCD
Many individuals struggling with OCD suffer in silence, believing they’re alone or beyond help. Many are so fearful to even say what they are struggling with out loud. Awareness Week reminds people that effective treatment exists and they are not alone in their struggle. Evidence-based therapies such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
The more people understand what OCD really looks like, the more likely they are to reach out for support and find the help they deserve. I talk to people day in and day out who have been living with OCD but didn’t even know it! Many have spent years in talk therapy and were told they’re just anxious, that they worry too much, to stop the worries or that they are perfectionists. Many struggle without an actual OCD diagnosis or proper treatment. They wonder why they are not getting better and blame themselves. Some have felt down, misunderstood, and hopeless. Many have been isolated from family and friends. Some have been doing everything they can to keep their lives together, by doing compulsions. However the compulsions have overwhelmed them and completely taken over their lives.
It Promotes Education and Empathy
This is why OCD Awareness Week is so important it shines a spotlight on a condition that often remains unseen. OCD is often invisible to others. By raising awareness, we help those to identify that they have OCD and most importantly, let them know that help is available and there is hope! We let them know that they do not have to suffer alone and there is so much hope when they get proper treatment.
As an OCD therapist one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching the change in people’s lives when they begin to understand their OCD and learn skills to manage it. When they go from being controlled by their OCD to living life without OCD influencing their decisions and values. I’ve seen clients make amazing progress once they are equipped with the right knowledge and skills, by using exposure and response prevention (ERP), an evidence-based approach. They go from feeling overpowered and controlled by their OCD to reclaiming their lives and finding freedom.
Sharing hope with OCD treatment
For me, OCD Awareness Week is a chance to celebrate hope with evidenced based treatment. It’s a reminder that with the right treatment and support, there is a chance for true recovery. It’s also to continue spreading awareness so that no one has to live life according to their OCD, so they can begin their own journeys towards reclaiming their life!
I feel incredibly honored to be an OCD therapist and to help people through some of the most challenging experiences of their lives. But my passion for this work is also personal. Having lived with OCD myself, I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming it can feel. I know the toll that OCD can take, and I also know how empowering it is to break free from OCD’s control!
That’s why this week matters so much to me not just as a professional, but as someone with lived experience. I want to make sure that others don’t have to live feeling overwhelmed, believing they’re alone in their OCD. There is hope to recover and there is help available to create lasting changes.
OCD Awareness Week is a reminder of the progress we’ve made in understanding and treating this disorder! There are evidenced based methods that have been proven to help and I have seen it first hand! If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD look for trained OCD therapists on IOCDF.org. Help is available, and healing is possible!
It Brings People Together
OCD can make people feel incredibly isolated. Awareness Week gives those affected a place to connect, share their experiences, and feel understood. Whether it is through community events, online panels, or local meetups, people come together to support one another and exchange ideas about coping and healing.
At Resilience Counseling, we have seen how powerful it can be when people find community. Connection often becomes the foundation for change.
How You Can Get Involved
You can support OCD Awareness Week in many meaningful ways. Start by sharing accurate information about OCD on social media. You can also attend or host an event, as organizations such as the International OCD Foundation offer webinars and community gatherings throughout the week. Take time to start open conversations with friends and family about what OCD truly is and what it is not. Most importantly, offer support to those who may be struggling and encourage them to connect with an OCD therapist trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Even small actions can make a lasting difference in helping others feel seen, supported, and understood.
OCD therapy at Resilience Counseling- San Diego, CA
At Resilience Counseling, we specialize in treating OCD, and anxiety using evidence-based approaches such as ERP and CBT. Our OCD therapists are trained to help clients face fears, reduce compulsions, and build meaningful lives beyond OCD. We believe that awareness is the first step toward healing! We’re honored to be part of that process for so many individuals and families.
If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, you don’t have to go through it alone. Schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help you or your child begin the path toward recovery.
Author Bio: Katherine Pica OCD Treatment near me - San Diego, CA
Katherine Pica LCSW - Owner and clinical director of Resilience Counseling. She actively consults and supervises all the OCD therapists at Resilience Counseling. She has been practicing since 2007 for over 18 years! Trained in ERP for OCD and EMDR for Trauma. Katherine brings years of experience working with OCD to you. Available in San Diego, CA for session in person and all over California for virtual therapy.
OCD treatment and other areas we specialize in
San Diego, CA based office
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or a qualified mental health professional if you have questions about a psychological or medical condition. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional care because of something you have read on the Resilience Counseling website. If you believe you may be experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, contact your doctor, call 911, or reach out to your local emergency services right away.
