Understanding OCD Triggers: What They Are and How Therapy Can Help
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than just a desire for cleanliness or order—it’s a deeply distressing condition that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. At the heart of OCD are triggers, situations, thoughts, or stimuli that provoke intense anxiety and compulsive responses. By learning to understand and manage OCD triggers , individuals can take meaningful steps toward recovery. At Austin Bridges Therapy, we provide informed, compassionate care to help clients navigate these challenges and find lasting relief. What Are OCD Triggers? OCD triggers are anything that sparks an obsessive thought or urge to perform a compulsion. These triggers are highly individualized—what provokes one person might not bother another. However, common triggers often include: Contamination fears (e.g., germs, bodily fluids, dirt) Fear of harm (e.g., hurting someone by accident, being responsible for danger) Perfectionism or symmetry concerns (e.g., needing things to feel “j...