The OCD cycle involves obsessions, intense uncomfortable feelings, compulsions (physical or mental rituals), relief of intense uncomfortable feelings, and return of the obsessions, therefore reinitiating the cycle.

The OCD cycle involves the following components:

• Being exposed to a triggers

• Experiencing intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions)

• Feeling compelled to perform compulsions/rituals (mental or physical) to rid self from the obsessions and/or intense uncomfortable feelings

• Experiencing (temporary) relief after performing the compulsions

• Being triggered and re-starting the OCD Cycle again