Call us: (714) 683-1472
e-mail: info@orangecoastpsychiatry.com
Book Appointment

OCD And Reading

OCD And Reading

Blog Outline

Back to Top

Have you ever felt that something has taken over your life, and that something has robbed you of self-control? This could be a mental condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by its symptoms, called obsessions and compulsions. If you are an enthusiastic reader or want to be one, OCD can put a snag on that wish. Let’s talk about OCD and reading in the words below while discussing how you can become an OCD reader.

Defining OCD

OCD is a mental condition that is characterized by (as mentioned) its symptoms. These are called obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are persistent, uncomfortable, and intrusive thoughts that can only be relieved by participating in related or weird compulsions to reduce stress (as the affected individual thinks that if they do not dwell on these compulsions, something worse related to a fear of their obsessions will come to life). People with OCD have a knack for latching on to seemingly simple everyday tasks and turning them into time-sucking, anxiety-inducing activities. It is very different from something like PTSD, which is more based on trauma.

OCD is kind of an itch that needs to be scratched by the affected individual, and as you may have guessed, scratching makes it worse. This vicious cycle keeps its symptoms as obstacles and can include reading OCD. But its frequent symptoms (which are often time-consuming and significantly impact quality of life, which in a way is similar to bipolar disorder, as its episodes also eat up a lot of time and impact quality of life) are:

Obessions

Can be of a wide range, but these are some of the most common ones:

  • Fear of hurting someone or yourself, whether
  • Fears and doubts relating to relationships
  • Fear of contamination
  • Past related trauma
  • Fears and doubts related to sexual orientation
  • Obsession with coming out as blasphemous
  • Fixating on bodily sensations and movements

Read More: Which Brain Region Is Believed to Play a Critical Role in OCD?

Compulsions

To get rid of the intrusive thoughts that are part of obsessions, affected individuals employ compulsions that are essentially repetitive behaviors. Some of the most common ones are mentioned below:

  • Excessive cleaning
  • Excessive hand washing or sanitizing use
  • Checking things, for example, to see if the doors are locked
  • Employing avoidance behavior for certain places, people, or situations
  • Replacing bad thoughts with good ones
  • Suppression of thoughts
  • Overthinking and rumination
  • Counting things such as steps

OCD and Reading: A Discourse

OCD reading is a thing. When you have OCD, it can be difficult to do simple things such as reading. OCD is all about irrational uncertainty and anxiety. When you read a book while suffering from OCD, you always end up thinking that you must’ve missed something or you did not fully understand it. So, to be completely certain, you reread it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a book, a piece of writing, or even a sign.

The Psychological Reasoning Behind Reading OCD

It becomes an OCD reading thing when the type of uncertainty we just described becomes intrusive and extremely persistent. Behavior like this triggers intrusive thoughts, fears of making mistakes, or a need for everything to feel “just right” to remove that uncertainty. OCD and reading here becomes reading OCD, which is essentially an offshoot of OCD, a broader manifestation of the compulsive behavior that is found in it. According to one study, “patients with OCD may be more likely to repeatedly read the same text because of comprehension difficulties caused by either obsessions or compulsions” (Abramovitch, Abramowitz & Mittelman, 2013).

Read More: Do You Ever Wonder That Your OCD Thoughts Are Not Real?


Can OCD Impact The Way You Read?

There are many different ways your reading can be impacted when you are affected by OCD. Let’s talk about some of these:

OCD and Reading Obsessions

Reading comprehension

Some OCD sufferers will create obsessions around reading. Some of them will have obsessions related to reading comprehension, specifically. When you have this type of reading OCD, you ask say things like “If I don’t digest all the information in my textbook perfectly, I’ll fail my test.”, or ask questions like “What if I don’t re-read my boss’s email and I miss a task and get fired?”.

Reading triggers

Sometimes, OCD does not start specifically due to reading, but is a subtype of OCD. For example, you are reading a novel that speaks some harsh truths about abusive relationships and suicidal ideation, which can trigger your harm OCD, where obsessions and compulsions are always about how you might harm yourself or another person, whether deliberate or not.

Read More: Understanding OCD Groinal Response: Unraveling the Misunderstood Symptoms

OCD and Reading Compulsions

Re-reading

It is normal to reread something, as many of us may not get something that we read on the first go. But with OCD, reading that is done again and again gets out of hand. In OCD, people may struggle with reading because they feel that they need to re-read pages, passages, sentences, or even words, a certain number of times before they allow themselves to move forward.

Specific reading patterns

This can shape up as something like you are reading pages in odd numbers and doing something else that feels satisfying for your OCD itch.

Avoidance

This is another one of OCD and reading compulsions, where you start to avoid reading materials that trigger you or where you feel a need to reread something for one reason or another.

Checking

Here, you might reread a certain passage to see how it made you feel the first time around. You do this consecutively and persistently.

Read More: OCD in relationships: Understanding, coping, and supporting each other

Treating Rereading OCD

There are many ways this type of OCD, such as psychiatric medication management (which works well for something like depression), can be treated, as all of them can work if they do for normal OCD. The most suitable one is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which is a form of psychotherapy. It helps break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions by making you learn how to address your fears head-on, while helping you resist the urge to engage in compulsions. Lifestyle changes such as exercising and a good sleep pattern also help and complement other treatment methods that we have talked about.

Wrapping Up!

We have formed a link between OCD and reading, and it is up to you how to get it treated. You can get treatment from our mental wellness center, Orange Coast Psychiatry, which is not only adept at treating OCD but can help with other conditions such as schizophrenia or psychosis. Additionally, we also offer alternative treatment methods like telepsychiatry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Compulsions like rereading can take up a lot of time and focus. 

Treatments like medication and psychotherapy. 

Many have led a successful life while diagnosed with OCD. 

Reference and Footnotes
  1. Abramovitch. A,  Abramowi. J.S., Mittelman, A. (2013) The neuropsychology of adult obsessive–compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review. 33, 8. 1163-1171. ISSN 0272-7358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.09.004. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027273581300130X)
  2. Mph, T. S. (2025, April 22). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). NOCD. https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd
  3. Webb, J. (2024, December 13). Reading OCD: How OCD impacts reading habits. NOCD. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/reading-ocd

Latest Post

OCD And Reading

Have you ever felt that something has taken over your life, and that something has robbed you of self-control? This could be a mental condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by its symptoms, called obsessions and compulsions. If you are an enthusiastic reader or want to be one,

Read More »

OCD & Guilt: Emotional Struggle Behind Obsession

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder with irrational thoughts and repetitive patterns. The person may fear irrational beliefs and thoughts. Between these painful cycles, pain holds a power within this disorder. A person with OCD can suffer from guilt or shame. Further, we will dive deeper into how guilt plays

Read More »

Jackson Tea

MSN, PMHNP-BC

Administrative Director and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jackson Tea, MSN, PMHNP-BC, serves as the Administrative Director and a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) at Orange Coast Psychiatry. Dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, Jackson is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals to take charge of their mental well-being. His expertise includes comprehensive psychiatric assessments, personalized medication management, and behavioral health interventions designed to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes in their mental health journey.
Jackson’s approach to care is rooted in the belief that mental health is just as vital as physical health. He focuses on creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where patients feel heard, valued, and understood. By offering individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals, Jackson helps clients overcome obstacles such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other mental health challenges.
He holds a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from National University, a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned Dean’s List honors. As a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, Jackson remains committed to advancing mental health awareness and promoting high standards of care in the field.
In his role at Orange Coast Psychiatry, Jackson leads clinical operations while ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering high-quality care. His core competencies include psychiatric assessment, evidence-based interventions, crisis management, clinical leadership, and risk mitigation. Above all, Jackson strives to make mental health care accessible and effective for everyone, supporting individuals in making meaningful progress, improving their quality of life, and achieving lasting well-being.

May Faustino

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

May Faustino, PMHNP-BC, is a compassionate and highly skilled psychiatric provider with over four years of nursing experience, including three years specializing in psychiatric care. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Coast University, where she received extensive training in managing the psychiatric needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations, as well as providing therapy and counseling services.
May has worked in diverse mental health settings, including forensic psychiatry at the Department of State Hospitals and behavioral health services at Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health. Her clinical expertise spans psychiatric assessments, medication management, and trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on treating anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
Bilingual in English and Tagalog, May is dedicated to serving diverse patient populations with a culturally sensitive approach. She is trained in evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing and is well-versed in trauma-informed care and suicide prevention strategies.
May is passionate about promoting resilience and recovery through preventive mental health care and individualized, holistic treatment plans. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her memberships in the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
In her personal time, May enjoys fostering mindfulness and well-being through activities she loves, such as spending time with her husband and their two beloved cats, Pippy and Eva.

Dr. Montgomery

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Torri Montgomery, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with a subspecialty board certification in forensic psychiatry. Dr. Montgomery is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Montgomery earned her Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Arizona State University and her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from The University of Arizona, College of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. During her psychiatry residency, Dr. Montgomery completed a year-long certification in Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), earned a certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe medication for the treatment of substance use disorders, and worked in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic for substance use disorders. Additionally, she was appointed Chief Resident and received an Excellence in Teaching award.
After psychiatry residency, she completed her Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. After completing her fellowship, Dr. Montgomery has worked in public psychiatry for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She teaches, consults, and treats individuals with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders. Her experience includes outpatient, inpatient, emergency, consult liaison, addiction, dual-diagnosis, and forensic psychiatry. She is an expert evaluator on the Superior Court of California Panel of Expert Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Dr. Montgomery is an attending physician for the Harbor-UCLA Department of Psychiatry and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.

Dr. Ravi

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Dave Ravi, M.D., is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with additional qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Ravi is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S., Magna Cum Laude), VCU School of Medicine (M.D.), Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Residency in Psychiatry), and John. A. Burns School of Medicine (Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry). He currently is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, HI and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi is a dedicated community psychiatrist with extensive experience in public, correctional, inpatient and outpatient settings, and an experienced tele-psychiatrist. He consults on topics in general psychiatry, including quality improvement, treatment planning, and crisis management, and in correctional psychiatry, including recovery-oriented treatment for individuals with serious mental illness and dual diagnosis. His current and future interests focus on understanding the various approaches in managing the suffering and disturbance of complex psychiatric disorders, particularly in the use, misuse, overuse, and misrepresentation of psychotropic medications.

Dr. Irwin

M.D. , Ph.D – Psychiatrist

Dr. Scott Irwin, M.D., Ph.D., is Board Certified Psychiatrist. Dr. Irwin is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
His career mostly focuses on improving outcomes for those with cancer or other progressive, potentially life-limiting illnesses, and their families, through leading-edge clinical services, ongoing research, as well as program development, improvement, and implementation.
He is widely published, has been recognized at many levels for his research, teaching, consulting, and clinical endeavors, and has received research funding from the NCI, NIMH, the National Palliative Care Research Center, the Archstone Foundation, and industry.
Dr. Irwin earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and both his MD and PhD (neuroscience) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He successfully completed his psychiatry residency at UC San Diego as chief resident of Outpatient Psychiatric Services, as well as a two-year elective in hospice and palliative care at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with subspecialty certification in psychosomatic medicine.

Richard Samedra.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.
Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.
Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.
Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

Shaheena Gazipura

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.
Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.
Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.
Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner -BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry
Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.
With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.
A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.
Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Mina Cheriki

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Mina Cheriki is a masters-prepared Registered Nurse (RN), certified Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), and a board-certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She brings nearly a decade of experience within the healthcare industry, particularly within the fields of nursing, mental-health, education, research, and leadership. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, followed by a Master of Science degree in Nursing at The Ohio State University.
Rooted in the highest quality of evidence-based practice and informed by a holistic, collaborative, person-centered approach, Mina’s clinical skillset encompasses psychiatric assessments, medication management, psychotherapy, and education. Her clinical focus covers symptoms and conditions related to depression, anxiety, panic, mood imbalances, attention/concentration deficits and hyperactivity, executive dysfunction, life transitions, acute stress, grief, trauma, and more. Additionally, Mina has experience in providing ketamine-assisted therapies and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for mental health.
Coming from a family of immigrants, Mina is familiar with providing culturally-, religiously-, and spiritually sensitive care while also maintaining efforts in delivering highly therapeutic communications. Furthermore, she continues her commitment in providing evidence-driven care and in upholding standards of quality by remaining active in organizations such as the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Above all, Mina is committed to empowering her clients throughout their journeys toward recovery and well-mindedness. More specifically, she uses her combined knowledge and passions for physical and mental health to assist her clients toward achieving a lasting balance between the mind, body, and spirit.
Aside from her dedication to providing mental health care, Mina also enjoys exploring nature and hiking, making photography and art, as well as spending quality time with friends, family, and her dog, Kona.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.