OCD requires hospitalization when symptoms become so severe they cause a crisis, like persistent suicidal/homicidal thoughts, inability to perform basic self-care (eating, hygiene), extreme self-neglect, or posing a danger to others, often alongside severe co-occurring conditions like major depression, needing intensive, structured care not available outpatient. Hospitalization provides 24/7 supervision and intensive therapy (like CBT/ERP) for stabilization when symptoms overwhelm daily functioning, say Evolve Treatment Centers and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Hospitalization usually occurs only when patients are unable to care for themselves or they pose a danger to themselves or others. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or talking about hurting him or herself, take action immediately. You can: Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Severe OCD: consider urgent/emergency evaluation if OCD is so severe that the patient is not eating regularly, or is not able to take medication, attend to medical or basic self-care needs or leave home.
Severe OCD is also marked by compulsive behaviors or compulsive rituals that people do to try to ease anxiety. These can include excessive handwashing, checking and rechecking behaviors, counting, repeating words or phrases, or arranging objects in a specific manner.
What is the 15-minute rule for OCD? The 15-minute rule is a cognitive strategy that encourages delaying a compulsive behavior for at least 15 minutes. During this time, individuals can engage in a different activity, practice deep breathing, or journal their thoughts.
It essentially requires you to identify three things you can see, three things you can hear, and three ways you can move your body. “It's basically a way of distracting yourself from your anxiety by shifting your attention to your senses,” says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Clarity Clinic, Chicago.
Purpose and Clinical Use of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) First, it shows how severe someone's OCD is. If a client scores high (24-31), they probably need medication and intensive therapy. Those with middle scores (16-23) might start with weekly therapy to see if that's enough.
What Is the Hardest Type of OCD To Treat?
If you have this condition, you may focus on different worries or behaviors. You might fear germs or contamination, need things to feel symmetrical or “just right,” have unwanted intrusive thoughts or feel the urge to collect or save items. It affects about 2 out of every 100 people in the U.S.
The last theme stems around the concern about what their new “norms” look like. Patients may be confused about how to behave in target situations. For example, someone who may have been practicing refraining from checking their appliances excessively can now return to checking once if they feel unsure.
Besides thoughts of self-harm or suicide, you must also consider going to the emergency room if you experience visual or auditory hallucinations, delusions, harmful OCD symptoms, severe side effects of medications, aggression or assault, severe insomnia, confusion, paranoia, and mania.
Look after yourself
Anxiety and Fear During an OCD Attack
Imagine constantly being bombarded by intrusive thoughts, such as the fear of contamination or the fear of causing harm to oneself or others. These thoughts can be persistent and intrusive, causing a great deal of distress.
As much as possible, doctors try and treat your mental health outside of hospital. But you might need to go to hospital if you can't keep yourself or others safe. Or if you need specific treatments.
Assessment: A thorough assessment will be conducted to understand the patient's mental health status, medical history, and any immediate risks. This may involve interviews, physical exams, and possibly laboratory tests. Intervention: Treatment may include crisis intervention techniques, medication, and observation.
Key Warning Signs That Inpatient Mental Health Care May Be Necessary
This mental disorder is not something you can simply “snap out of.” Those who live with OCD understand that it's a relentless cycle of fear, intrusive thoughts, and compulsions that hijack everyday life. It can feel isolating, exhausting, and deeply misunderstood.
A relationship breakup, job loss, and financial issues are all examples of events that can cause anxiety and trigger a worsening of OCD symptoms. Increased stress often exacerbates symptoms of OCD. Intrusive thoughts become stronger, making it harder to manage compulsions.
While OCD does not directly cause panic disorder, the two often interact. Intrusive thoughts and the stress of resisting compulsions can trigger intense fear, sometimes leading to panic attacks.
Leonardo DiCaprio lived with mild/moderate OCD for most of his adult life. He often feels the urge to walk through doorways multiple times.
Common types of compulsive behaviour in people with OCD include:
Individuals with OCD may also have other mental health conditions such as depression, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), anxiety, Asperger syndrome, eating disorders and Tourette syndrome (TS).
Historically, the World Health Organization (WHO) classed OCD as one of the top 10 most disabling illnesses worldwide.
AsianScientist (Mar. 26, 2025) – A group of researchers from South Korea has shown that a new non-invasive procedure, called magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) capsulotomy can potentially help in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
The 4 R's for OCD Management
Recognition: Identifying obsessions and compulsions. Relabeling: Acknowledging these as symptoms of OCD, not reality. Refocusing: Redirecting attention elsewhere. Revaluation: Understanding the thoughts and behaviors as insignificant.