Mental healthAnxiety disorders

How does OCD affect the brain?

Giving in to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms may temporarily ease anxiety, but it will worsen symptoms over time. Jerry Bubrick, PhD, explains how this is much like giving your lunch money to the school bully.

LearnMental healthHow does OCD affect the brain?

Up Next

  • What we've learned about obsessive compulsive disorder

  • What is OCD?

  • What are myths and misconceptions about OCD?

  • How do sleep and diet affect children with OCD?

  • How is OCD diagnosed?

  • What is cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders?

  • What is considered mild, moderate and severe OCD?

  • When does OCD develop and what does it look like?

  • If my child has been diagnosed with OCD, what does the family need to know?

  • If my child has OCD, will they always have it?

Up Next

  • What we've learned about obsessive compulsive disorder

  • What is OCD?

  • What are myths and misconceptions about OCD?

  • How do sleep and diet affect children with OCD?

  • How is OCD diagnosed?

  • What is cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders?

  • What is considered mild, moderate and severe OCD?

  • When does OCD develop and what does it look like?

  • If my child has been diagnosed with OCD, what does the family need to know?

  • If my child has OCD, will they always have it?

AskMDAskMD

Curious about Mental health?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

Constant caffeine, skipped workouts and other perils of the late-night worker.

7 health pitfalls for night shift workers and how to avoid them
Slideshow

Try affirmative self-talk to turn your outlook around.

Positive-thinking exercises to undo stressful thoughts
Article

From exercise to meditation, here are 10 ways to manage unchecked stress.

10 healthy ways to handle excess stress
Slideshow

If the shorter days and cold weather of late fall and winter have you feeling consistently low, it could be SAD.

How to spot the signs of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Article

Cultivate a healthy relationship with your body to help bolster your self-esteem and protect your well-being.

10 ways to support a healthy body image
Article
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.

ask-mdask-md
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.