I can assure you it is all these things and none of them. What we'll do now is borrow a principle from the universe which states very clearly like this, followers blame, leaders take responsibility. You can't be submissive to your thoughts if you ever want to become OCD free. You've got to be a leader to join those of us who have become free of it.

But what do you mean? How can this be done? What I am not saying is that you don't need a huge group of followers like the pope or even be the leader of a group of three friends. Rather, in your mind. See some people beat themselves up in their minds. Here's are really sad, but great example: you look at yourself in the mirror in the bathroom and repeat to yourself, "I am so unattractive!"!" Or, "They probably won't pick me for the team!"

No, you need to stop being the geek to the bully in your mind, instead take on the role of the bully in your mind, but leave the geek alone, instead, be a bully to your Obsessive compulsive disorder and here's how: "I refuse to do this ritual!" "I got better, more productive things to do and achieve!" "I don't have time for nonsense!"

You see what I'm driving at here? Stop beating yourself up, tell your negative thoughts to shut the heck up and start taking control of your thought life. Who knew you could do it? I knew. I know because I have and if I have, you can, should and will, period, that is, if you really want to become free from the shackles of the OCD.

Great article Derek, but what, why, when and how do you do what you've done. What's the secret sauce that goes into this OCD thing. Here's the game plan you can implement till the day you die and it goes like this. You should notice right off the bat that fear that creeps up and the need you feel to do a ritual of some kind and sort. You are very familiar with what rituals you struggle with.

Then, you need to tell yourself, "Instead, I'm going to do more productive things and I will not associate with OCD, but rather, I am choosing to be normal, let it be written, let it be done!" I remember when the Pharoah in the ten commandments said that and it was powerful. We need to take that same authority over our minds. It's easier than you think and you know this.

Then, when you feel the anxiety, and you will just like smokers do the craving of a cigarette when they quit. I know from experience. You need to say to yourself, "I would rather suffer for a little bit now and be free from OCD for the rest of my life, than suffer with it for the rest of my life! What decision do you think is better?

So believe that you can be free, make the wise decision to go for long term happiness and stop looking for instant gratification. Looking for instant gratification will ensure that you always have OCD. If you let go of that shortcut seeking, you'll surely have a better chance to succeed, period!