Obsessive-compulsive disorder is now becoming more and more common in India, for which more than 1 million are being reported every year. By definition, OCD is characterized by two kinds of behaviours, which are obsession, i.e. recurring and uncontrollable thoughts and compulsion (repetitive behaviours). Obsessive and Compulsive disorders can affect us in many ways, whether it be fear, regret or any other unwanted thought based on which a person gets engaged in repetitive behaviour.
Here, we are going to discuss about relationship OCD. Details given here will include symptoms and various measures that can be taken by a person to overcome OCD in their relationships.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorders?
Before proceeding to relationships, let us first discuss the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Based on this, you can have a clear understanding of how to deal better when it comes to relationships. The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by the occurrence of unusual thoughts. The thoughts are hard to control, and in response to this, unusual behaviour can be observed in the person.
Thoughts/obsession can be constant fear or phobia. This can be fear to germs, fear for losing, forgetting, or freight towards particular situation. In response to these things or avoid them, a repetitive activity can be observed. Like constantly washing hands, checking doors or doing the same activity again and again.
OCD and Relationships
OCD can impact a person in many aspects of life, be it their daily routine, their job or, most particularly, their relationship. An obsessive compulsive relationship is characterized by occurrence of various thoughts concerning the rightness in the relationships. Common thoughts occurring in relationships are related to intimacies/romance, compatibility or comparison to other couples.
Due to the occurrence of these thoughts, the person starts doubting themselves or their partner. Based on these obssessive thoughts, person might can proceed to perform any uncertain behaviour like checking up on their partner, forcing themselves or their partner in anything that you think can resolve issues or improve your relationship.
Common Symptoms Indicating an Obsessive Compulsive Relationship.
The following thoughts can be considered as relationship OCD symptoms.
- Feeling of self doubts where a person monitors or check their feeling on whether or not they or their partner feel the same about each others.
- Trying to compare the relationship with other couples or people’s relationships. This includes your friends, relatives, colleagues, celebrities, or any particular character you have seen in a movie, sitcom, or daily soap.
- Anxiety can be common with OCD.
Doubts in a relationship are common and can be easily resolved through discussion or other measures. However, having recurring thoughts which might trouble you at a deeper level or can make you question yourself repeatedly can indicate relationship OCD. The behaviour of a person going through OCD is distinctive and is usually noted. Common thoughts or obsessions in the case of OCD in relationships have been listed below. While the occurrence of these thoughts can be common, repetitive occurrence can be considered in relationship as ROCD symptoms:
- “Is he/she the one, or is there someone else better for me.”
- “Am I not worthy of my partner.”
- “Is this relationship a mistake?”
- “Will I be alone if I break up with her/him?”
- “I am not certain whether I am going to be in this relationship with this person forever.”
What causes an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a Relationship
There is no exact cause or reason why a person goes through an obsession and compulsion during a relationship. The exact chemical process in the brain that leads to OCD has not been determined.
What might contribute to having obsessive thoughts during a relationship is the part experience. Based on this, the person’s thought process can be in a certain way, such as wanting to be sure that things are right. Common factors attributing to cause ROCD symptoms:
- Genetics
- Brain Functioning
- Childhood Trauma
Treatment for Relationship OCD
Different therapies can be recommended for treating Obsessive-compulsive disorder in relationships. With the combination of some drugs and therapies and under the supervision of medical experts, it can be easy for someone to deal with the issue of OCD and save their relationship to have a better.
Based on the present condition of the person, common OCD therapy that can be recommended includes cognitive behaviour therapy along with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Along with therapies, some drugs can prescribed to help the person deal with obsession. Research has shown that taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can help to improve OCD symptoms. However, it is recommended to take such a drug under the supervision of a certified medical expert who will prescribe you the medicine after assessing your condition.
Relationship counselling is also one means to deal with OCD symptoms. In relationship counselling, both partners can express themselves and clear their doubts regarding the relationship to avoid further tension or the occurrence of obsessive thoughts.
Connect with the Right Expert for OCD Therapy
Relationships are never and nor will be simple. Complications can always be found between two people while living together. Doubts can be cleared easily through discussions, In the case of obsession, it is always recommended to connect with the right expert who, along with relationship counselling, can also recommend the right OCD Therapy.