Could you put yourself in the position of someone who is stuck in an endless loop of unwanted thoughts, but who, despite the fact they want to regain control over their thinking, must do so by carrying out rituals they don’t enjoy? This is what it is like to live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is not about being controlled — it is about waging a daily war against your own mind. In this blog we’ll explore what OCD is, how it feels inside the loop of the obsession, which is often the desire for control, and how to find hope and healing in the process.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health disorder characterized by intrusive and persistent obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted intrusive thoughts, images and urges that create intense anxiety; compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental rituals undertaken to relieve that anxiety. While people with OCD generally know that their fears are irrational and do not mean any real harm, the level of anxiety attached to the obsession can create a very strong sense that performing the compulsion is required in order to gain relief of that anxiety. It is important to note that OCD is not a personality trait or something a person can just “get over.” Managing OCD usually includes some kind of treatment from a professional, such as an evidence-based OCD therapist in New York.
The Daily Struggle Between Obsession and Control
The core of OCD usually involves a struggle to balance the deep obsessions or fears versus the desire for some sort of control. If a person has a thought of “Did I leave the stove on?” This could evoke an intense fear of the house burning down. To cope with that anxiety, a person may check the stove multiple times, and even drive back to the house one or two more times.
It starts with a trigger such as a thought, feeling, or event. The trigger causes an obsessive, invasive thought to emerge that results in a significant amount of anxiety and also makes it nearly impossible to focus on anything else. The individual then engages in some compulsive behavior or ritual designed to lessen the intense anxiety. Although compulsive behavior often reduces anxiety temporarily, it reinforces the false belief that compulsive rituals must be performed to cope with feelings of anxiety. This repeated reinforcement increases the strength of the OCD cycle so that it becomes increasingly difficult to extricate from without seeking help.
The Impact of OCD on Various Aspects of Life
OCD has the potential to interfere with many aspects of life. In relationships, it can create distance because partners experience frustration and alienation in relation to compulsions that they do not understand, and seeking constant reassurance can also drain emotional resources. When people are at work or school, their ability to get things done is often impaired because their obsessions use up mental energy and simple things can take hours to do, or are forgotten, missed, or put off past the deadline. Self-esteem may suffer too, as many individuals feel “broken,” or hopeless. Physical health may also decline, as repeated compulsions, e.g., handwashing, can contribute to conditions such as dermatitis and infections. This shows why getting treatment from an OCD specialist in NYC is important. Treatment is more than just relief from symptoms, effective treatment restores life-satisfaction and balance.
Root Causes of OCD
There isn’t one reason OCD occurs; rather, it probably comes from several causes. Genetics certainly are involved, as having a first-degree family member with OCD increases the risk of developing the disorder. Brain structure and functioning is involved, as studies suggest that people with OCD may have variations of the frontal cortex and subcortical structures. Life events, such as traumatic experiences, abuse experiences, and stressful life changes, can help to provoke symptoms in individuals already vulnerable to OCD. Stress tends to worsen OCD, even positive changes in life, such as starting a new job or marriage, tend to worsen compulsion temporarily.
Treatment Option for OCD
1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The gold standard treatment for OCD is a particular type of cognitive-behavioral therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP involves exposing the patient to the feared object, event, situation, thought (exposure) and preventing compulsive behavior (response prevention). The brain learns through practice that the anxiety will go down naturally without compulsive behavior, seen as breaking the obsessive-compulsive cycle.
2. Medication
Some medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (fluoxetine and sertraline being examples) help reduce symptoms of OCD.
3. Support Systems
OCD is easier to live with when you are not alone. Support groups, online communities, or therapy groups can offer validation and usable tips. Family and friends who understand you and everything you are doing toward treatment are important.
Tips for Living with OCD
Mindfulness can help you notice obsessive thoughts without evaluation, and with time, it can reduce your need to engage in compulsions. It is also important to reduce reassurance seeking, as constantly needing people to affirm things only reinforces the OCD cycle, while learning to sit with uncertainties develops fortitude. You may also want to challenge your obsessive thoughts by asking whether they are true or by imagining the worst possible outcome with the thought—even just recognizing that they may exist is enough to decrease their power. It may feel safer to avoid whatsoever triggers you may have; however, avoidance is the most powerful behavior that operates to maintain OCD, so you will want to challenge your fears as much as you can—with the assistance of competent OCD therapists in NYC, if you require additional support.
Conclusion
In living with the experiences of obsessive-compulsive disorder, there is a constant struggle between the intense desire for control, and the incessant pull of intrusive thoughts. It is draining, it is lonely, and it is often heartbreaking; yet there is hope. With proper treatment, a solid support system, and a glimmer of self-compassion, people can slowly start to lessen the hold that OCD has over them. They begin to reclaim their lives, their aspirations, and their tranquility. Real control is not found in quieting fear—it is taking steps toward moving forward while fear attempts to sow seeds of doubt. Furthermore, living with obsessive-compulsive disorder is not just about surviving; it is about fighting; healing; and gaining true freedom, one brave step at a time.
References
- “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Symptoms and causes.” Mayo Clinic, 21 December 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432#:~:text=Overview,cause%20a%20lot%20of%20distress.
- “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
- Begum, Jabeen, et al. “OCD: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Related Conditions.” WebMD, 4 April 2024, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
4.Huatuco, Palacios. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 February
