Key Takeaways
Differentiating between OCD and anxiety can be challenging because they share some similar symptoms. Both conditions involve frequent, excessive anxiety that can affect a person’s ability to function in daily life.
The main difference between OCD and anxiety is that people with OCD engage in compulsive behaviors in an attempt to reduce their distress or prevent a feared outcome. While people with anxiety may also seek to alleviate their discomfort, they don’t typically engage in compulsions.
OCD and anxiety are frequently co-occurring, but they’re both treatable conditions. This typically involves a combination of therapy, self-care, and, for some people, medication.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders are different types of mental health conditions that share some similar features. They also frequently occur alongside one another. Research shows that approximately 32% of people who have OCD also have an anxiety disorder.
On the surface, it can be difficult to differentiate between OCD and anxiety because they can both involve frequent worry and mental distress. For example, living with an anxiety disorder can make a person feel worried in a variety of situations, even without cause. But people with OCD can feel anxious about their intrusive thoughts and the need to perform compulsive behaviors to relieve distress.
This shared experience can leave a person wondering if they have OCD, anxiety, or both. The best way to answer this question is being evaluated by a mental health professional. But in the meantime, learning more about the similarities and differences between anxiety and OCD can help you better understand yourself and encourage you to seek support when it’s needed.
What’s the link between OCD and anxiety?
OCD and anxiety are different conditions, but they’re closely connected. Both can cause intense worry, fear, and discomfort when something feels uncertain or “not right.” People with either condition often face challenges with intrusive thoughts and a strong urge to escape or reduce distress. Because of these shared emotional patterns, many people with OCD also live with an anxiety disorder.
However, the way these conditions show up in daily life — and the behaviors they trigger — can be very different
Is OCD an anxiety disorder?
No, OCD is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder. The DSM-5 placed OCD in its own category called Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.
This change was made because:
OCD involves a unique cycle of obsessions and compulsions, which is different from general worry or fear.
People with OCD often feel driven to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to reduce anxiety — something not seen in most anxiety disorders.
OCD tends to involve specific brain-based patterns that differ from other anxiety conditions.
Even though OCD is not an anxiety disorder, anxiety is still a central part of the experience, which is why the two can overlap or appear together.
OCD signs and symptoms
People with OCD experience two main symptoms:
Obsessions: Intrusive, unwanted thoughts or images that create intense anxiety
Examples include: Fears about germs, harm coming to a loved one, religious fears, or needing things to feel “just right”
Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental actions meant to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions
Examples include: Cleaning, checking, counting, repeating phrases, or seeking reassurance
Compulsions may help in the moment, but the relief is temporary — which keeps the cycle going.
Anxiety disorder signs and symptoms
People with anxiety disorders often live with constant worry or fear, even when there’s no actual danger.
Common symptoms include:
Restlessness or “on edge” feelings
Rapid heart rate or sweating
Trouble sleeping
Digestive issues
Muscle tension
Difficulty concentrating
Intense discomfort in social situations
People with anxiety usually know their fears feel excessive — but still have difficulty controlling them.
Causes of anxiety and OCD
We don’t have a complete understanding of what causes co-occurring OCD and anxiety. But research has revealed some possible risk factors for both conditions:
Genetics: Like other mental health conditions, OCD and anxiety tend to run in families.
Environment: Being exposed to stressful life events may increase the risk of OCD and anxiety.
Biology: Certain differences in brain structure may be linked to both OCD and anxiety.
Personality: Being a person who’s naturally more predisposed to worrying may increase your risk of OCD and anxiety.
Effects of anxiety and OCD
Without treatment, symptoms of OCD and anxiety can get worse over time. This can negatively affect your mental and physical health, your relationships, and your ability to function in daily life. Unmanaged mental health concerns can make it difficult to meet your obligations at home, work, and school. Ongoing instability can significantly detract from your quality of life.
Dig deeper:
What’s the difference between OCD and anxiety?
Differentiating between OCD and anxiety can be challenging. A mental health professional can help you sort through your symptoms, but there are a few helpful differences to keep in mind — especially around what triggers the distress in each condition.
The source of the fear is different. People with anxiety disorders often feel afraid of realistic, everyday situations. For example, they may worry about getting sick or losing a job. The fear is usually tied to something that could happen in real life.
People with OCD, however, may have fears that feel less connected to everyday reality. These fears can feel irrational or highly specific — like believing something terrible will happen unless an action is repeated a certain number of times.
People with OCD usually feel compelled to perform compulsions — such as checking, cleaning, repeating phrases, or mentally reviewing events — to reduce anxiety or prevent something bad from happening. These compulsions are a defining part of OCD and aren’t part of standard anxiety disorders.
If you’re unsure which symptoms you’re experiencing, a mental health professional can help clarify what’s going on and guide you toward the right treatment.
Can you have both OCD and anxiety?
Yes, you can have both OCD and an anxiety disorder at the same time. This is a common experience because both conditions involve high stress, worry, and fear of uncertainty. When they overlap, the anxiety you feel can make OCD thoughts stronger, and OCD rituals can increase stress and worry. A mental health provider can help you sort out your symptoms and create a treatment plan that supports both conditions.
Managing OCD and anxiety
If you or someone you care about is living with OCD and anxiety, know that you can manage both conditions with the right support. This typically involves a combination of the following:
Therapy: One of the most effective treatments for OCD and anxiety is a modality called exposure response prevention (ERP). ERP encourages people to face their fears and triggers in a controlled environment to reduce their impact over time. ERP also helps people avoid compulsions by replacing these behaviors with healthier coping strategies. While it can be challenging at first, know that ERP is conducted by a trained therapist who can provide support throughout the experience.
Medication: Many people living with anxiety and/or OCD benefit from making medication a part of their treatment plan. You can talk to your provider about whether or not this is the right option for you at this time.
Self-care: While professional treatment is typically needed for anxiety and OCD, you can do some things to support your recovery. This includes creating a routine that includes a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and movement you enjoy. Practicing mindfulness, journaling, challenging your anxious thoughts, and self-compassion can help keep your worries in check.
Clinician's take
In my experience, tailoring treatment for OCD and anxiety involves understanding each person’s unique triggers and concerns. I then create a plan that fits their specific needs, often using a mix of therapy approaches to help them manage their symptoms in a way that feels right for them.
Find care with Rula
When someone experiences chronic, excessive worry, it might be easy to assume that they’re living with an anxiety disorder. But anxiety is also a prominent symptom of OCD, and sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between these two conditions.
Rest assured that if you think you might be living with anxiety, OCD, or both, the specialized care you deserve is just a few clicks away. With Rula, you can quickly and easily connect with an in-network therapist whom you can meet with from the comfort of home. To get the process started, check out our therapist-matching program and schedule your first appointment for as soon as tomorrow.
