Relationship obsessive compulsive disorder is a small and unknown form of OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder has two main components, as designated by its name: obsession and compulsion. FIrst, the mind finds a fixation and becomes obsessive about it. The fixation can be a trauma from the past, anxieties over the future, or the hyperfocus on the compulsive behavior. When there is no tolerance left for thinking and obsessing, the compulsive behavior is a form of relief and control, bring order to the chaos that is OCD. Applying these characteristics to a relationship causes relationship based obsessive compulsive disorder.
According to Health Line, relationship obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, leaves one partner in an ongoing cycle of obsessive thoughts regarding their partner. Specifically, they are in anxiety over the relentless doubt they feel regarding the authenticity of their relationship. Concerns about the love being real, the attraction being real, and whether or not their happiness within the relationship is real, distract from the ability to be present in the relationship, as well as other areas in life.
The confusion which comes from these obsessive thoughts goes through a pattern. First, there is the doubt and insecurity. Next, comes doubt and insecurity about that doubt and insecurity. For example, if someone were truly happy with their partner than they wouldn’t have to constantly be thinking about whether or not they were happy with their partner. Lastly, there are feelings of guilt and shame for thinking these thoughts and having these concerns in the first place. Feeling remorse, out of control, and continually insecure, the process continues.
Treating ROCD
There is no tangible meter to gauge how authentically in love or not in love one might be with their partner. Therapy is a process of working through the intangible- feelings. Confronting and overcoming fears which encourage the insecurities of OCD can help release some of the tension. Learning new coping mechanisms for dealing with doubts can help maintain long term recovery.
Relationships can be triggering, frightening, and challenging when you’re living with a mental illness. In our residential treatment programs for primary mental health care, we provide relationship counseling for all levels of partnership to help each partner grow and heal. For information on our recovery programs for relationships and obsessive compulsive disorder, call Avalon By The Sea today at 1 888-958-7511.
