Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests in all kinds of ways—from checking and counting to ruminating and handwashing. And while OCD is often thought of as an anxiety disorder, diagnostically speaking, it is something distinct. Understanding all this can be tricky, to be sure. But it’s also critical when it comes to helping someone struggling with these conditions.

So how can clinicians, educators, and loved ones learn to recognize the difference between naturally occurring anxiety, potentially debilitating anxiety disorders, and OCD? What sets OCD apart from these conditions? And what does effective treatment look like and where can you find it?

Jesse M. Crosby, PhD, shares what you should know about OCD and common anxiety disorders, explores the keys to their accurate diagnosis, and answers audience questions about treatment approaches.