Constantly seeking reassurance

You may think it’s only considered an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) when you engage in repetitive hand washing or persistent counting. Is it still OCD if there are no obvious ritualistic behaviors?

Pure “O” is a term sometimes used to refer to an obsessive-compulsive disorder that, aside from being characterized by obsessions (repetitive intrusive thoughts), it disguises the compulsions, so they are more difficult to identify as such. For instance, you may engage in unseen mental compulsions or reassurance-seeking behaviors, like checking (from checking on Google to checking for own body reactions/sensations), seeking reassurance from loved ones or avoidance of particular objects, places or people that trigger obsessional thoughts or even watching movies of an adult nature to check if there is arousal. You may rationalize that your compulsive behavior is perfectly logical and that “everyone does it”. Whether they are mental, or physical, ritualistic, or hidden, these compulsions continue to have power over the individual and they create increased anxiety when avoided. Therapy can help overcome the dependency on those behaviors and break the cycle.