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ForwardWhen Worry Isn’t Just Worry: Identifying OCD vs. GAD
Obsessive-complusive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often overlap in presentation, especially in adolescents and young adults.
Clients may report persistent worry, rumination, intrusive thoughts, reassurance-seeking, and avoidance, making it challenging to determine what is driving the anxiety and which evidence-based interventions are most appropriate. In this training, clinicians will learn a practical framework for differentiating OCD from GAD, with special attention to the function of thoughts and behaviors. Participants will explore common diagnostic pitfalls, including subtle compulsions and mental rituals that can be mistaken for “typical worry.” The training will also review how diagnostic clarity informs treatment planning, including when to prioritize ERP, CBT for worry, or an integrated approach.
Target Audience
clinical professionals, psychologists, therapists, counselors, and social workers.
Learning Objectives
Identify key clinical markers that differentiate OCD from GAD, including the role of intrusive thoughts, obsessional doubt, and generalized worry. Recognize reassurance-seeking, rumination, checking, avoidance, and mental rituals as potential maintaining factors in OCD and GAD presentations. Apply a function-based assessment framework to improve diagnostic clarity when symptoms overlap. Develop treatment recommendations based on differential diagnosis, including when to use ERP, CBT strategies for worry, or a combined approach.
Sharon Batista, MD
Dina Nunziato, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer
Sharon Batista, MD
Dina Nunziato, PhD, LCSW
Dina Nunziato, PhD, LCSW
Sharon Batista, MD
Dina Nunziato, PhD, LCSW
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and Anxiety Institute. AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibly for the content of the programs.
New York State Psychologists
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists. # PSY 0290
Awarded credit: 1.5 contact hour(s).
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. AKH Inc. Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 continuing education credits.
New York State Social Workers
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0233.
Awarded credit: 1.5 contact hour(s).
Available Credit
- 1.50 APA
- 1.50 ASWB
- 1.50 Attendance
- 1.50 NY Psychologists