OCD: When Helpful Habits Become Overpowering
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more common than you might think. Often hidden behind seemingly positive traits, like attention to detail, cleanliness, organization, or a strong sense of responsibility, it can, in reality, be overwhelming and debilitating.
At its core, OCD is a cycle driven by obsessions and compulsions:
🔹 Obsessions: Unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that feel intense, irrational, and impossible to dismiss. Often taboo or distressing, they create anxiety, guilt, fear, or shame—convincing you they must be taken seriously. Here are some examples of obsessions:
🔄 Contamination & Cleanliness
“Did I touch something dirty? What if I get sick?”
“I need to wash my hands again, just in case I missed a spot.”
“What if I spread germs to my loved ones and make them ill?”
🚪 Checking & Doubt
“Did I lock the door? I better check again.”
“What if I left the stove on and my house burns down?”
“Did I send that email correctly? What if I made a mistake?”
❤️ Relationship & Social Anxiety
“Do they really love me, or are they just pretending?”
“What if I said something offensive and didn’t realize it?”
“Did I look weird in that conversation? What if they think I’m awkward?”
⚖️ Moral & Ethical Concerns (Scrupulosity)
“What if I lied without realizing it?”
“Did I accidentally steal something? I need to go back and check.”
“What if I have bad thoughts and that makes me a bad person?”
💭 Intrusive Thoughts (Taboo Fears)
“What if I lost control and hurt someone I love?”
“Did I just think something inappropriate? Does that mean I want it to happen?”
“What if I did something terrible in the past and just don’t remember?”
📅 Need for Symmetry & Order
“This doesn’t feel ‘just right.’ I need to fix it.”
“I have to rewrite this until it looks perfect.”
“If I don’t arrange things a certain way, something bad will happen.”
🏥 Health Anxiety
“What if this headache means I have a brain tumor?”
“I need to Google my symptoms just to be sure.”
“What if the doctor missed something during my check-up?”
🎭 Existential & Philosophical Worries
“What if I’m not real? What if none of this is real?”
“What if I never find meaning in life?”
“What if I’m stuck thinking about this forever?”
🔹 Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to relieve the anxiety brought on by obsessions. While they may offer temporary relief, they ultimately reinforce the cycle, making the urges stronger and harder to resist over time. Here are some examples of compulsions:
🔄 Contamination & Cleanliness Compulsions
Excessive handwashing, showering, or cleaning surfaces
Avoiding public places, touching objects, or shaking hands
Using sanitizers repeatedly, even when unnecessary
Changing clothes frequently to avoid “contamination”
🚪 Checking & Doubt Compulsions
Repeatedly checking doors, stoves, locks, or appliances
Re-reading emails or texts multiple times before sending
Seeking reassurance from others (“Are you sure I did that right?”)
Driving back to places to make sure no harm was caused
❤️ Relationship & Social Anxiety Compulsions
Constantly asking for reassurance about a partner’s love or loyalty
Replaying conversations in the mind to look for mistakes
Avoiding social situations for fear of saying the wrong thing
Compulsively checking texts for hidden meanings or tone changes
⚖️ Moral & Ethical Concerns (Scrupulosity) Compulsions
Excessive confessing to minor or nonexistent “wrongdoings”
Repetitive praying to “cancel out” bad thoughts
Avoiding certain words, numbers, or actions to prevent bad luck
Mentally reviewing past actions to ensure no harm was done
💭 Intrusive Thoughts (Taboo Fears) Compulsions
Mentally “undoing” or replacing a bad thought with a good one
Avoiding places, people, or objects related to the feared thought
Repeatedly seeking reassurance (“Would I really do something bad?”)
Researching online to confirm they are not a “bad person”
📅 Need for Symmetry & Order Compulsions
Arranging items repeatedly until they feel “just right”
Counting, tapping, or repeating actions a specific number of times
Writing and rewriting words until they look perfect
Walking in specific patterns or avoiding certain numbers
🏥 Health Anxiety Compulsions
Constantly checking the body for symptoms
Googling medical conditions repeatedly
Going to multiple doctors for the same issue
Avoiding medical shows, hospitals, or anything triggering
🎭 Existential & Philosophical Worries Compulsions
Repeatedly thinking about deep questions, trying to find certainty
Avoiding movies, books, or discussions that trigger existential anxiety
Seeking reassurance from others about the meaning of life
Mentally arguing with oneself to “prove” reality is real
Breaking free from OCD is challenging without the right approach. Specialized therapy can significantly reduce its intensity and control over your life. If you recognize these patterns in yourself, let’s talk. Schedule a free consultation at www.balancepathway.com and take the first step toward freedom and peace of mind.
