Belief Is What Causes The Trouble

[taurean]

Because it isn't the intrusive thoughts of OCD, but our belief in them, that causes the anxiety response, and the flawed attempt to gain relief by carrying out compulsions. 

When we learn from CBT not to believe, not to connect, not to try and neutralise, not to carry out compulsions, but rather to leave be and refocus away - and separately challenge the intrusions with cognitive knowledge and exposure and response prevention - well then gradually intrusions will ease away in power and frequency.