33 Powerful OCD Quotes When Times Get Tough

Medically Reviewed By – Juliet Gustafson, LMSW

In the realm of mental health, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) stands as a complex and often misunderstood condition. It weaves intricate patterns within the minds of those affected, shaping their thoughts, actions, and daily lives. OCD is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that compel individuals to perform repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) in an attempt to alleviate anxiety or prevent perceived harm.

Understanding the challenges faced by individuals with Obsessive compulsive disorder requires empathy, knowledge, and a willingness to delve into the depths of their experiences. Within this context, quotes have the remarkable power to encapsulate the essence of OCD, offering valuable insights, relatability, and encouragement to those grappling with this condition, as well as fostering compassion and awareness among others.

This compilation of OCD quotes serves as a collection of voices that shed light on the unique struggles, triumphs, and idiosyncrasies of individuals with OCD. From renowned psychologists to individuals who have lived through the labyrinth of OCD, these ocd quotes offer a glimpse into the intricate minds affected by the disorder.

As you embark on this exploration, may these quotes serve as a beacon of understanding, solidarity, and hope, inviting you to witness the resilience, strength, and complexity of those navigating the intricate web of OCD. Let us embark on this journey together, unraveling the layers of OCD through the words of those who intimately comprehend its impact.

This post is about Powerful OCD Quotes When Times Get Tough

1

“I’m tired of being inside my head. I want to live out here, with you.” 

– Colleen McCarty 

2

“Refuse to act on an obsession, and it will die of inaction”

– Recovery Inc.

3

“You lose time. You lose entire blocks of your day to obsessive thoughts or actions. I spend so much time finishing songs in my car before I can get out or redoing my entire shower routine because I lost count of how many times I scrubbed my left arm.”

– Kelly Hill

4

“I’m a person who also happens to have OCD”

– Patricia Perkins-Doyle

5

“Pain of mind is worse than pain of body”

– Publius Syrus

6

“Not having to control or fight OCD can lead to a sense of freedom or lightness. Your energy can then be spent on things that you find meaningful. I often hear people say, “My OCD is exhausting.” After working on letting go of control, suddenly people report having more energy.”

– Marisa T.

Interested In OCD? – Download your FREE OCD Worksheets Now

7

““It’s not the thoughts but rather what you do with them that maintains the OCD cycle.”

– Katie d’Ath & Rob Willson

8

You may well feel uncomfortable with this kind of uncertainty or risk, which isn’t surprising as these are key features in OCD, but tolerating this discomfort and testing out new behaviours is key to overcoming OCD.”

– Katie d’Ath & Rob Willson

9

“No passion so effectively robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear“

– Edmund Burke

10

Doubt permeates the OCD mind. It’s difficult to be 100 percent certain of almost any situation in life.”

– Laura L. Smith

11

““When it isn’t thinking about the future, the OCD mind dwells on possibilities from the past. The mind fills with thoughts about what might have occurred.”

– Laura L. Smith

12

“People with OCD often wear a mask. On the outside they appear so put together, but on the inside, they are falling apart. ”

– Marisa T. Mazza

13

“My OCD is a speed bump, not a barrier, to happiness.”

– Amelia Diane Coombs

14

“Fighting OCD is like boxing. Each time you go against a thought, it’s a punch to its strength. Each time you listen to your OCD, its biceps get bigger and it becomes a more powerful opponent. It’s a war of attrition – you just have to keep fighting.”

– Allison Britz

15

“Telling someone with OCD to stop obsessing about something is like telling someone who’s having an asthma attack to just breathe normally.”

– Tamara Ireland Stone

16

“At its crux, OCD treatment is about learning to live with the discomfort of uncertainty.”

– Jeff Bell

17

“People with OCD including myself, realize that their seemingly uncontrollable behavior is irrational, but they feel unable to stop it.”

– Abhijit Naskar

18

“Because the thoughts and behaviors of those with OCD are so unusual or socially unacceptable, people with OCD often feel deeply embarrassed and ashamed.”

– Laura L. Smith

19

“It takes dedication, perseverance and patience to overcome OCD, and each of these is far more valuable to you than thinking about your speed!”

– Katie d’Ath & Rob Willson

20

“For me, it’s an ever-present nagging feeling that something is just ‘not right.’ I can never really, truly ‘make it right.’ I have to learn to live with the all-consuming feeling of mental discomfort“

— Laura McCarthy

21

“The OCD mind focuses on possible future calamities. The predictions almost never come true. Yet, the obsessive thoughts keep coming and demanding attention, very naughty.”

— Unknown

22

“Don’t let OCD control your life. You are in charge, not the disorder.”

– Charlize Theron

23

“People who live with OCD drag a mental sea anchor around. Obsession is a brake, a source of drag, not a badge of creativity, a mark of genius or an inconvenient side effect of some greater function“

– David Adam

24

“I could think of nothing but the loneliness of being stuck in that glass room with only OCD for company. OCD, the bully; OCD, the oppressor; OCD, the destroyer of lives; OCD”

– Ben Gander

25

“I have OCD mixed with ADD; you try living with that. It’s complicated.”

– Justin Timberlake

26

“A lot of people assume that having OCD means liking things organized or hating germs. It tends to be treated like a quirk or an endearing trait. But it’s so much more than that. It’s the one thing that prohibits me from being free of myself.”

– Whitney Amazeen

27

“I have OCD, which is not fun. I have to be incredibly tidy and organized or it messes with my mind and switches off on me”

– Charlize Theron

28

“Often during writing, I am compelled by Obsessive compulsive disorder to delete and rewrite a word or sentence over and over again“

– Abgijit Naskar 

29

It’s like having mental hiccups. Mostly, we can function despite the ‘hiccups,’ but we’re exhausted attempting to carry on as if they didn’t exist.”

— Sheila Cavanaugh

30

“Imagine all your worst thoughts as a soundtrack running through your mind 24/7, day after day.”

— Adam Walker Cleveland

31

Obsessive compulsive disorder is like having a bully stuck inside your head and nobody else can see it.”

— Krissy McDermott

32

“This only is certain, that there is nothing certain“

– Pliny the Elder

33

“A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a shortcut to meet it.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien

Final Thoughts

The journey through the world of OCD quotes has been a profound exploration of the human experience, highlighting the unique challenges faced by individuals living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. From the depths of their minds, these quotes have offered glimpses into the intricate tapestry of thoughts, anxieties, and compulsions that shape their lives.

Through the voices of psychologists, researchers, and individuals who have walked the path of OCD, we have witnessed the resilience, courage, and determination that emerge from the depths of this condition. These quotes have eloquently captured the internal struggles, the battles fought daily, and the triumphs achieved against all odds.

For those who live with OCD, these quotes have served as a reminder that they are not alone. They have provided solace in knowing that others understand the intricacies of their experiences and have faced similar challenges. Moreover, these quotes have offered validation and encouragement, reminding individuals that seeking help, practicing self-compassion, and embracing their unique journeys are essential steps towards healing and growth.

In the words of those who have shared their thoughts, experiences, and reflections on OCD, let us continue the dialogue, advocate for mental health awareness, and cultivate a more compassionate and inclusive society for all.

This post was all about Powerful OCD Quotes When Times Get Tough