"Trapped in Loops: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Finding Freedom Through CBT"

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"Trapped in Loops: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Finding Freedom Through CBT"






What if your brain played the same thought over and over, and the only way to calm it down was to follow certain rituals?
That’s what Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) feels like.
It’s not about being “too clean” or “extra neat” it’s about anxiety that won’t let go.
At Haven of Minds, we dive deep into what OCD really is not just symptoms, but stories and healing.




🎭 Short Story – “In Circles”

Noah checked the door lock 17 times before leaving.
He washed his hands until they stung, convinced something bad would happen if he didn’t.
His family thought he was “just being dramatic” or “overreacting,” but inside, Noah was terrified.
Terrified of germs. Terrified of losing control. Terrified of his thoughts.
He didn’t want to repeat things  his mind gave him no choice.



💥 What Is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a condition where people:

Have obsessions: unwanted, distressing thoughts or fears

Perform compulsions: actions or rituals done repeatedly to ease the anxiety caused by those thoughts


It’s not a habit  it’s a cycle driven by fear.




🔁 Common Obsessions and Compulsions:

Obsessions may include:

Fear of germs or contamination

Fear of hurting someone accidentally

Needing things to be “just right”

Intrusive thoughts that feel disturbing


Compulsions may include:

Excessive cleaning or washing

Repeated checking (locks, stove, switches)

Arranging objects perfectly

Repeating words or prayers in a set way




🧠 How CBT Helps OCD:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially a method called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is the most effective treatment for OCD.

✍️ Step 1: Face the Thought, Gently

Instead of running from the fear, you face it slowly.
Example: If you're scared of touching a doorknob  touch it without washing your hands right after.
It’s hard at first, but each time gets easier.

💬 Step 2: Replace the Reaction

Instead of giving in to the ritual, breathe and say:

 “This is a thought  not a fact. I don’t have to obey it.”
The more you do this, the more power you take back.



📓 Step 3: Journal the Triggers

Write down:

What obsessive thought appeared

What you did in response

What helped reduce the fear


Over time, your brain rewires  slowly, but surely.




💡 Haven of Minds Quote to Carry:

 "Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else."



OCD makes you feel stuck. But healing begins the moment you choose to stop fearing your thoughts and start understanding them.



✍️ Healing Rhyme  “Not Every Thought Deserves a Throne”

The thought repeats, you feel the strain,
You try to fix, erase the pain.
But not all thoughts are meant to stay , 
Some need to gently drift away.





📖 Bible Verse for Peace of Mind

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
—Philippians 4:6



God sees even the thoughts we never speak. And He walks with us through them every single day.




Living with OCD can feel exhausting. But you are not crazy and you are not your rituals.
You are a strong, intelligent person facing an anxious brain.
At Haven of Minds, we believe you can reclaim your peace thought by thought, step by step.
Ask yourself today:

“How far am I willing to go to break the cycle not with force, but with kindness?”
You’re not alone. You’re learning. And most importantly  you’re healing.





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