Signs of OCD – What are Mental Rituals?

In this second blog post in the Signs of OCD series, I discuss mental rituals.  I break down what mental rituals are and how to know if you are using (or relying) on them. 

Mental rituals are special statements that are repeated in your mind to get rid of distress or anxiety.  It could be counting, a special prayer, or simply a special statement such as, “I don’t need that.” Mental rituals are not the same as “Pure O” OCD. I’ll talk about that in another post.  

For now, it is important to know that mental rituals are not obsessions.