The 9 Tricks OCD Likes to Play on Us

When we’re living with OCD, it often feels like we’re fighting an endless battle against our thoughts and feelings. One of the reasons it feels like we’re constantly stuck is that OCD is exceptionally tricky—it knows exactly how to pull us back into the cycle. It feeds on our doubts and our desire for certainty, and the more we try to control it, the worse it gets. Understanding the tricks that OCD will play on us is one of the first steps in breaking free from the cycle. Let’s break down some of the most common tricks OCD uses to keep us stuck.

1. “I don’t really have OCD.”

One of the most subtle tricks OCD uses is convincing us that we don’t have it at all. It will minimize our symptoms, making us question whether what we’re experiencing is really OCD. This trick often shows up when we feel like we’ve gained some control over our symptoms and think the problem has magically disappeared. The reality is that OCD can make us doubt even the obvious, and by questioning whether we have OCD, we begin to fall into a cycle of denial and avoidance. OCD wants us to question if we have it, so that we compulsively research and seek reassurance which ultimately keeps us stuck in the OCD Cycle.

If you’d like to learn more about the OCD cycle and how it keeps you stuck, you can click on this link here.

2. “This time is different.”

OCD thrives on our search for certainty. It will often make us believe that “this time” our thoughts or feelings are different or more real than before. It whispers in our ears that we finally have a genuine problem, and the doubt feels more intense than ever. When OCD convinces us that this time is unique, we engage more with the thoughts, looking for more answers, thus reinforcing the cycle. This trick highlights the importance of recognizing when we’re believing this trick, compulsing to figure it out and then accepting uncertainty instead of falling into the trap of certainty-seeking.

3. OCD can switch subtypes.

OCD is a chameleon. Just when we think we’ve mastered one subtype, it shifts into another. We might start with obsessing over something contamination OCD related, then suddenly develop doubts about our sexual orientation (SO-OCD), or even begin experiencing fears of harming others (Harm OCD). This trick often causes us to feel like we’re never truly free of OCD—it seems like no matter what we do, the obsessional fears never end. But in reality, OCD switching subtypes is just another tactic to keep us in the cycle. Recognizing that the themes can change, but the process for recovery is the same no matter the thoughts is crucial in managing them effectively.

4. “This feels so real.”

One of the most powerful tricks OCD plays is making us believe that the intrusive thoughts and feelings we experience are real or meaningful. The distressing nature of these thoughts makes them feel like they’re reflections of our true desires or beliefs. The reality is that OCD makes our thoughts feel real in order to trick us into engaging with them. Over time, the more we learn to accept these thoughts without engaging, the less power they hold over us.

5. “I’m a horrible person for thinking these thoughts.”

When we experience intrusive thoughts, OCD convinces us that the mere presence of those thoughts makes us a bad person. It makes us feel guilty and ashamed for thinking things that seem to contradict our values or identity. However, intrusive thoughts and feelings are a symptom of living with OCD, and they are to be expected. It’s okay that they happen because they are simply a symptom, just like lower blood sugar levels might predictably occur for someone with diabetes. Learning to accept that these thoughts do not make us “horrible” is a critical step in our recovery.

6. “OCD recovery is confusing. I don’t know how to do it.”

OCD likes to convince us that recovery is impossible or that we’re doing it wrong. We might feel overwhelmed by the complexities of treatment or unsure of which steps to take. This confusion often leads to procrastination or avoidance, and we start to feel like recovery is a distant goal. The key is to break it down into manageable steps, like starting with exposure and response prevention (ERP) and learning how to accept uncertainty.

7. “This time I’ll get an answer and it will stick.”

One of OCD’s most insidious tricks is convincing us that if we just search a little longer, or ask the right person, or find the right article, we’ll get a definitive answer that will finally “fix” our anxiety. The truth is, there’s no answer that will ever be enough to satisfy OCD. It thrives on uncertainty, and the more we chase certainty, the more we feed it. The answer isn’t out there; it’s in how we learn to live with uncertainty.

8. “I’ve been living a lie.”

This trick involves OCD convincing us that our life, our feelings, or our identity has been a lie all along. It might say things like, “If you were really who you thought you were, you wouldn’t be having these thoughts.” OCD tries to make us feel like we’ve been pretending or living in denial, but the reality is, these are just lies OCD tells to increase doubt and anxiety. Once we learn to embrace uncertainty and let go of the need for absolute truth, we can begin to free ourselves from this trick.

9. “I’m back at square one. It’s like all my work was for nothing.”

OCD is very good at convincing us that all the progress we’ve made is meaningless. When we face a setback, OCD convinces us that we’re back at the beginning of our journey, and that everything we’ve worked for is lost. This is another trick that keeps us stuck in the cycle. The truth is that setbacks are part of recovery, and they don’t mean we’re starting over. They’re just part of the process of learning to live with uncertainty and not engaging in compulsions.

Conclusion: Break Free from OCD’s Tricks

Recognizing these tricks is the first step in breaking free from OCD’s grip. The more we understand how OCD manipulates our thoughts and behaviors, the easier it becomes to resist its hold. In our OCD Coaching Program, we use proven strategies like ERP and the Letting Go technique to help you reclaim your life from OCD. With the right mindset and tools, you can break the cycle and start living the life you deserve.

Click here to apply now and start your journey to freedom from OCD.

Take care,

Zach W.

Founder, OCD Coaching Services