This is a quote, which I feel makes a lot of sense and says it well:

"The cognitive model of OCD holds that everyone gets intrusive
thoughts. People with OCD get into trouble because of how they
interpret the thoughts. What you are most sensitive about is what
determines what thoughts you get upset about. Then you try to
make things better by either suppressing the thoughts or trying to
neutralize them. This has the effect of making them more likely to
come back.

"The cognitive model states that people with OCD ascribe excessive
importance to thoughts. It often seems that they say they have to
think about some thoughts because they are important. They know
they are important because they keep thinking about them.

"Thoughts are not especially important. What does it mean if you
have thoughts about some harm coming to family. We know
everyone gets such thoughts. You think it is important or
meaningful that you get them and then try to get rid of them.

"If you try not to think of something you are assured of thinking of it
more.

"Another idea is that people with OCD think they are responsible for
their thoughts and should control them. Since no one can do this it
becomes upsetting when you can't. If you accept that you can't
control them, are not responsible for them and they are neither
important nor meaningful and that instead of trying to not have
them you simply accept them you will feel much better."

Non Impediti Rationie Cogitantonis
Jim Claiborn Ph.D. ABPP