Let’s Talk About True OCD by Karan Kataria, M.S.

Bergen County Moms
14 minutes ago
2 min read

Woman in a blue sweater intently reaches for candles on a glass table. Living room background with bookshelves, conveying focus.

It’s time to rethink the way we talk about OCD.

The phrase “I’m so OCD” has become casual, but Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a serious mental health condition — driven by anxiety and compulsions, not just a love of tidiness.

So, what is OCD, and what is not OCD?

Not OCD

Being a perfectionist "Type A"
Preferring things to be a certain way
Enjoying cleaning or having a tidy place

Actually, OCD

Compulsion fueled by anxiety, not enjoyment
Frequent intrusive negative thought patterns
A real, debilitating mental illness

To learn more, reach out to the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy.

Karan Kataria is the Social Media Manager and Clinical Intake & Outreach Specialist at Lukin Center, where he is passionate about communicating the Center’s mission of accessible, evidence-based mental health care. In his role, he manages all social media and content creation across platforms including LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, while also supporting program development and patient engagement. Karan plays a key role in shaping the Sport Performance Program at Lukin Center by creating educational materials and preparing to serve as a presenter in the program’s initiatives.

He specializes in integrating sport and exercise psychology into performance and wellness, with a strong interest in the relationship between mind and body. Karan holds a Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield College and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a cognate in Exercise Science from Michigan State University. His graduate research explored how self-talk evolves throughout endurance performance, reflecting his deep passion for the mind-body connection. Dedicated to advancing the field of psychology, he is also applying to doctoral programs in Clinical Psychology. Karan has worked with athletes, teams, and individuals across a variety of sports, providing mental skills training in areas such as self-talk, visualization, emotion regulation, and performance routines. He has also presented at conferences and academic forums on topics including endurance performance and applied psychology, blending his academic expertise with practical applications in sport and mental health. Deeply committed to bridging communication, psychology, and performance, Karan brings creativity, research, and passion to his work at Lukin Center, with the goal of helping individuals strengthen both their mental health and their performance potential.

With offices in Chatham, Englewood, Hoboken, Jersey City, Montclair, Ridgewood, and Westfield, we're here to help. Reach out at 201-849-7085 to discover your best fit therapist.