Our Blog: Upward Alabama

OCD or Autism? Understanding the Difference (and Why Some People Have Both)

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

OCD

Autism Treatment

Posted: August 20, 2026

Symptoms of OCD and autism can look a lot alike from the outside. Both can involve repetition. Both can involve routines that feel non-negotiable. Both can involve an intense focus on something specific. But underneath that surface resemblance, they work in very different ways — and understanding the difference matters, because the right kind of support looks completely different depending on which one (or both) you're dealing with.

Pure O(CD)--When Your Mind Will Not Stop: A Guide to Understanding OCD and Specialized Care

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

OCD

Anxiety Treatment

Posted: June 14, 2026

Mental compulsions are one of the most misunderstood and under-diagnosed features of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Often individuals with mental rituals are misdiagnosed, undertreated, or told that what they are doing — trying to think their way out of anxiety — is actually the right approach. The skill of learning to challenge thoughts is standard practice in many therapies and is effective in many disorders. In OCD, it is not. And understanding why is the first step toward real relief.

Understanding OCD: Intrusive Thoughts About Violence, Pedophilia, and Suicide

By Misti Norton, Ph.D., DBSM

OCD

Treatment

Posted: June 7, 2026

OCD is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to alleviate anxiety. While many people associate OCD with cleanliness or checking behaviors, the disorder often presents with a wide range of obsessions, some of which can be deeply distressing and misunderstood, such as those involving causing harm to others, pedophilia, and suicide.

Aging With OCD: Understanding Symptoms, Finding Support, and Reclaiming Your Life

By Misti Norton, Ph.D., DBSM

OCD

Posted: April 15, 2026

OCD doesn’t fade with age, and it doesn’t always look the same from one decade to the next. Many older adults find that symptoms shift as life circumstances change—retirement, health concerns, caregiving roles, and the loss of loved ones can all create new openings for OCD to take hold. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward getting the right support and building a life guided by values rather than fear.