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Newsletter

  • Mental Health Issues
    • Anxiety
    • ADHD
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Depression
    • Grief
    • OCD
    • Personality Disorders
    • PTSD
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Marriage
    • Sex & Intimacy
    • Infidelity
    • Relationships 101
  • Wellness
    • Anger
    • Burnout
    • Stress
    • Sleep
    • Meditation
    • Mindfulness
    • Yoga
  • Therapy
    • Starting Therapy
    • Types of Therapy
    • Best Online Therapy Services
    • Online Couples Therapy
    • Online Therapy for Teens
  • Medication
    • Anxiety Medication
    • Depression Medication
    • ADHD Medication
    • Best Online Psychiatrist Options
  • My Mental Health
    • Men
    • Women
    • BIPOC
    • LGBTQIA+
    • Parents
    • Teens
  • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • About Us
    • Find a Local Therapist
    • Join Our Free Directory
  • What Is OCD?What Is OCD?
  • Can Someone Have Mild OCD?Can Someone Have Mild OCD?
  • SymptomsSymptoms
  • Severity of SymptomsSeverity of Symptoms
  • What Does It Look Like?What Does It Look Like?
  • MisconceptionsMisconceptions
  • How Is It Diagnosed?How Is It Diagnosed?
  • Should It Be Treated?Should It Be Treated?
  • Treatment OptionsTreatment Options
  • ConclusionConclusion
  • ResourcesResources
  • InfographicsInfographics

Is It Possible to Have Mild OCD?

Headshot of Hailey Shafir, LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS

Written by: Hailey Shafir, LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS

Headshot of Dr. Maria Simbra, MD, MPH

Reviewed by: Maria Simbra, MD, MPH

Published: January 31, 2023

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and compulsive rituals or behaviors.1 For someone with mild OCD, these symptoms may be less frequent, less intense, and less disruptive to their daily life. OCD is a highly misunderstood disorder, and certain personality traits or tendencies are often mistaken as a mild form of OCD

Do I have mild OCD?

The first step to getting help is an accurate clinical assessment and diagnosis. NOCD’s therapists will provide a comprehensive assessment of your experience. If they find that you do not meet the criteria for OCD, they will still help assist you in identifying what you may be experiencing. Get Started With A Free 15 Minute Call

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by NOCD.

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What Is OCD?

People with OCD struggle with intrusive thoughts that upset or scare them. They use ritualistic behaviors or routines to try to get rid of these thoughts or the anxiety and stress they cause.1 Obsessions and compulsions become a driving force in the life of someone with OCD, making it difficult for them to function.

How Many People Have OCD?

Only 2% of the population will develop OCD at some point in their lives.2,3 OCD is considered one of the most debilitating mental illnesses, because nearly 85% of people with the condition describe being either moderately or severely impaired by their symptoms. Less than 15% of people with the disorder report having more minor OCD symptoms.3

Can Someone Have Mild OCD?

Mild OCD is a subset of OCD in which intrusive thoughts do not consume as much of your energy as with a more severe case of OCD. Their day-to-day life is not impacted to the same degree, even if they have enough symptoms to qualify for an OCD diagnosis.

Is Everyone “A Little OCD”?

Only about 2% of the population will develop obsessive compulsive disorder in their lifetime, so the statement that ‘everyone is a little bit OCD’ isn’t actually true.2, 3 It’s more accurate to say that OCD is a very misunderstood diagnosis, and that many people mistakenly attribute certain personality behaviors and traits to OCD.

Can Someone Have Intrusive Thoughts Without Having OCD?

Having intrusive thoughts is a common occurrence for many of us regardless of our history with mental health conditions. Intrusive thoughts are a big part of the OCD diagnosis, however they are also common for those with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Since they are tied to so many things, having intrusive thoughts alone is not the only criteria for an OCD diagnosis.

Mild OCD Symptoms

The two main symptoms of OCD include unwanted, intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety or distress (obsessions); and the repetitive behaviors used to stop or control these thoughts or anxieties (compulsions). An OCD diagnosis may be considered when engaging in obsessions and compulsions take up an hour or more of a person’s day and begin to interfere with their ability to function.1

OCD Obsessions

OCD obsessions can occur in the form of thoughts, images, or strong urges to do or not do something. These thoughts are described as intrusive, because they’re repetitive and usually cause someone anxiety or distress.1 The actual content of the OCD obsessions vary depending on the type of OCD one has.

Some common examples of OCD obsessions include:4

  • Graphic images of hurting or killing people that replay in the mind (Harm OCD)
  • Sexual intrusive thoughts about children that make someone afraid they’re a pedophile
  • Repeated worries about having a rare, terminal illness or condition (Somatic OCD)
  • Strong urges to do things a certain number of times (Symmetry OCD)
  • Excessive questioning of sexuality or sexual preferences (HOCD)

OCD Compulsions

OCD compulsions can include ritualistic behaviors that a person feels they must do in order to eliminate an obsessive thought, urge, or anxiety. They may also include mental actions like counting or repeating a specific mantra or prayer.1 The compulsions are sometimes, but not always, directly related to the type of obsession the person is having.

Some examples of OCD compulsions include:4

  • Checking the front door repeatedly to make sure it is locked (Checking OCD)
  • Compulsively reading books about the meaning of life (Existential OCD)
  • Spending hours researching rare diseases online (Somatic OCD)
  • Scanning the body for any signs of sexual arousal for reassurance (POCD)
  • Disinfecting surfaces or excessive handwashing (Contamination OCD)

Treatment For OCD

NOCD: Online OCD Treatment Covered By Insurance – Regain your life from OCD. Do live video sessions with a licensed therapist specialized in treating OCD. Treatment from NOCD is covered by most major insurance plans. Learn how you can use your insurance benefits. Visit NOCD


Talkiatry: Virtual psychiatry – Get OCD help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with expert psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment in days. Free Assessment


Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by NOCD and Talkiatry.

Mild, Moderate, or Severe OCD

There isn’t a formal system to determine how severe a person’s OCD is. However, it is possible for symptoms to be mild, moderate, or severe.1

The severity of symptoms can be determined by a number of different factors including:

  • Frequency: How often the person’s symptoms show up
  • Duration: How long the person’s symptoms last
  • Intensity: How distressing or intense the symptoms are
  • Impairment: How much symptoms impair functioning in one or more area of life
  • Quality of life: How much the symptoms negatively impact a person’s quality of life

Mild OCD Vs Severe OCD

Most people who are diagnosed with OCD have moderate or severe symptoms that cause significant problems and disruptions in their lives.3 Below is a chart reviewing different examples of mild OCD and severe OCD symptoms.

Mild OCD SymptomsSevere OCD Symptoms
Occasional obsessive thoughts pop up throughout the day, taking up one hour or less of a person’s dayObsessive thoughts are almost constant, taking up several hours throughout a person’s day
Mild anxiety or distress caused by OCD thoughtsExtreme anxiety or panic attacks caused by OCD thoughts
OCD thoughts can be side-lined in order to complete other tasksUnable to refocus attention & complete other tasks
Compulsions are done quickly to make unwanted thoughts/urges go awayCompulsions take a lot of time and don’t always help the thoughts/urges go away
Able to keep a stable job, healthy relationships, and active social lifeUnable to function at work or in another important area of life
OCD symptoms have minimal impact on their daily routine or quality of lifeOCD symptoms disrupt daily routines & have a major - impact on their quality of life

What Does Mild OCD Look Like?

Mild OCD can look like regular OCD but to a lesser intensity, such as:

  • Washing your hands after certain food prep
  • Counting the number of times you may step/walk in the home
  • Some hoarding behaviors such as keeping specific types of items
  • Being able to rationalize some mild OCD intrusive thoughts since they are not severe
  • Keeping things in a certain arrangement

How much do you know about OCD?

Take This 6 Question OCD Quiz From NOCD. If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, NOCD provides convenient, affordable, and effective OCD treatment covered by most major insurance plans.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by NOCD.

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Misconceptions About OCD: It’s Not Just Liking Things to Be Neat & Clean

OCD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, even among licensed professionals. In fact, some research estimates that about half of all OCD cases are misdiagnosed. This is more likely to occur for those living with certain types of OCD that are less commonly portrayed. For example, someone with harm OCD or pedophilia OCD is more likely to be misdiagnosed than someone with contamination or checking OCD.5

Misattributing Being Tidy or Perfectionistic With Having OCD

It’s also common for people to mistake certain personality traits or tendencies as symptoms of mild OCD. Some of the personality traits, tendencies, and behaviors that are mistakenly attributed to OCD include:6

  • Liking things neat, tidy, and organized
  • Having a set routine or schedule
  • Needing to have a list, schedule, or plan
  • Having a phobia or fear of germs
  • Being highly detail-oriented
  • High levels of perfectionism
  • Getting upset when things aren’t done this way
  • Being a more anxious or neurotic person
  • Having a ‘type A’ personality

In most instances, these kinds of traits and tendencies are not symptoms or signs of OCD. Instead, they are related to someone’s personality, habits, or personal preferences. In rare cases, these traits may be a sign of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), a personality disorder characterized by rigid and controlling traits and tendencies.1

How Is OCD Diagnosed?

Only a licensed medical, psychiatric, or mental health professional can diagnose a person with OCD. All clinicians use criteria taken from the DSM-5 to diagnose any mental health condition, including OCD. Most commonly, people receive a diagnosis during an initial intake appointment with a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

During an intake appointment, the clinician will ask questions and complete an assessment to rule out any other mental health conditions other than OCD. Sometimes, they also ask patients to complete a survey or questionnaire to help determine a diagnosis. Other times, the questions are asked directly during the patient interview. At the end of the appointment, the clinician will discuss the diagnosis and talk with the person about recommendations for treatment.

Should Mild OCD Be Treated?

Even if one’s OCD symptoms are mild, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a therapist. Otherwise, the symptoms of OCD can get worse over time, becoming more frequent, intense, and hard to cope with.7,8 Therapy can help one learn how to better manage their OCD symptoms and prevent them from becoming more severe.

Mild OCD Treatment Options

Obsessive compulsive disorder can be treated with specific kinds of therapy, sometimes coupled with OCD medication. If you or a loved one has OCD, it’s important to choose a therapist who is knowledgeable about this condition and who specializes in OCD treatment. Those who do not seek out specialized treatment may receive an inaccurate diagnosis or treatment that doesn’t address their symptoms.5

Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (or ERP) is the most effective form of therapy for OCD. Studies have shown that more than two thirds of people who receive ERP therapy experience an improvement in their OCD symptoms. Most of the time, OCD symptoms can be treated in 12 ERP sessions or less.7,8

Final Thoughts

For most people living with OCD, the disorder has a significant impact on their lives. Certain kinds of therapy like ERP are very effective in treating OCD.7,8 For the 15% of those with a mild form of OCD, therapy can sometimes prevent the worsening of symptoms.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

OCD Therapy

NOCD: Effective, Affordable, & Convenient OCD Therapy Do live, face-to-face video sessions with a therapist that specializes in treating OCD and get 24/7 support between sessions. NOCD is covered by many insurance plans and is available nationwide. Visit NOCD

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with expert psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment in days. Free Assessment

OCD Newsletter

A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those impacted by OCD. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign-Up

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by NOCD and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • NOCD: Website with information about OCD, support groups, information about the NOCD app, and help finding therapy for OCD
  • International OCD Foundation (IOCDF): Website with articles, resources, and support groups to help people with OCD
  • Best Online OCD Resources for 2023
  • What Is Counting OCD?

Stories You Might Like 


Why OCD Thoughts Feel Real

Every day, from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed, I’m overwhelmed by disturbing thoughts that I don’t want to have. They’re usually about things that matter a lot to me, and I’ve started doing specific things (sometimes over and over) just to make sure the thoughts won’t come true. I’ve also been avoiding situations that might bring the thoughts back. Why do I feel like this all the time? If you’re asking yourself this, you’re not alone. Read More

What is Exposure & Response Prevention Therapy?

ERP therapy alters OCD’s pattern by addressing both obsessions and compulsions. In ERP, an individual is encouraged to confront the stimuli that trigger distress related to their obsessions while also resisting the urge to perform compulsions in an attempt to reduce their distress. Read More

Here is What A Typical Journey Through ERP Therapy Looks Like

If you’ve looked into help for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you’ve probably seen references to exposure and response prevention. ERP is the gold standard for OCD treatment. ERP therapy teaches you how to manage your OCD thoughts, images, and urges so they eventually stop bothering you as much. This lets you overcome your fear responses and regain the control that OCD tries to take away. Read More

This content is sponsored By NOCD.

Mild OCD Infographics

Key Symptoms of OCD Mild, Moderate, and Severe OCD Common Misconceptions About OCD

Sources Update History

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

  • Crino R.,  Slade T.,  Andrews G.. The changing prevalence and severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder criteria from DSM-III to DSM-IV, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2005, vol. 162 (pg. 876-882)

  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2017). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

  • Leckman, J. F., Denys, D., Simpson, H. B., Mataix‐Cols, D., Hollander, E., Saxena, S., … & Stein, D. J. (2010). Obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review of the diagnostic criteria and possible subtypes and dimensional specifiers for DSM‐V. Depression and anxiety, 27(6), 507-527.

  • Glazier, K., Swing, M., & McGinn, L. K. (2015). Half of obsessive-compulsive disorder cases misdiagnosed: Vignette-based survey of primary care physicians. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 76(6), e761–e767. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.14m09110

  • Wetterneck, C. T., Little, T. E., Chasson, G. S., Smith, A. H., Hart, J. M., Stanley, M. A., & Björgvinsson, T. (2011). Obsessive–compulsive personality traits: How are they related to OCD severity?. Journal of anxiety disorders, 25(8), 1024-1031.

  • Marx, B., & Greenfield, A., Ed. (2016). Diagnosis: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment: Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Society of Clinical Psychology. Retrieved from: https://www.div12.org/treatment/exposure-and-response-prevention-for-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/

  • Hezel, D. M., & Simpson, H. B. (2019). Exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review and new directions. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 61 (1), S85-S92.

Show more

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

January 31, 2023
Author: No Change
Reviewer: No Change
Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “Can Someone Have Mild OCD?”, “Can Someone Have Intrusive Thoughts Without Having OCD?”, “What Does Mild OCD Look Like?”. New material written by Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C and reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD.
August 29, 2022
Author: Hailey Shafir, LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS
Reviewer: Maria Simbra, MD, MPH
Show more

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  • What Is OCD?What Is OCD?
  • Can Someone Have Mild OCD?Can Someone Have Mild OCD?
  • SymptomsSymptoms
  • Severity of SymptomsSeverity of Symptoms
  • What Does It Look Like?What Does It Look Like?
  • MisconceptionsMisconceptions
  • How Is It Diagnosed?How Is It Diagnosed?
  • Should It Be Treated?Should It Be Treated?
  • Treatment OptionsTreatment Options
  • ConclusionConclusion
  • ResourcesResources
  • InfographicsInfographics
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