In OCD, intrusive and obsessive thoughts can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. They often trigger a cycle of anxiety and compulsive behavior aimed at alleviating that discomfort. However, when we respond to these thoughts with fear, anxiety, or avoidance, we reinforce the idea that they hold significant power over us. This reaction tells our brains, “Thanks for keeping me safe, we’d better watch out for this,” leading to an escalation of obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Conversely, treating these thoughts with less gravity - like the students confronting boggarts - we can send a message to our brains that these fears are not as significant as they may seem.