What mimics OCD but isn't?
Written by the clinical team at The Lyceum Clinic. Clinically reviewed by Sanah Younis, Founder and Clinical Director, BABCP-accredited (no. 1000792). Published 28 October 2026. Last reviewed 28 October 2026.
Clinical perspective: The Lyceum's specialist therapist in OCD.
How can OCD be distinguished from worry, perfectionism and health anxiety?
OCD is *ego-dystonic*: the thoughts feel alien, bizarre, and attack the person's core identity (for example, a sudden thought about harming someone they love). The compulsions are specific rituals meant to neutralise that magical threat. GAD is *ego-syntonic* worry about real-world issues (money, career) without a bizarre neutralising ritual. Perfectionism is a personality trait driven by a fear of failure, not a fear of causing catastrophic harm. Health anxiety is the fear of *having* a disease, whereas contamination OCD is usually the fear of *spreading* a disease and being responsible for harm.
For more detail, read about OCD therapy.