The Obsessive Compulsive Cycle

A key characteristic that OCD, certain OC Spectrum Disorders, and related anxiety disorders have in common is the cyclical process by which the symptoms intensify. Initially, individuals with these conditions perform compulsive or avoidant behaviors in an effort to reduce their anxiety. Unfortunately, while performing these behaviors may at first diminish the anxiety, it actually reinforces and worsens it in the long-term. This in turn leads to an increase in compulsive or avoidant behaviors, which leads to even more anxiety. While the specific thoughts and behaviors may vary with each of these disorders, this cyclical process is identical.

The following are some examples of behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety that instead serve to increase it, creating the Obsessive-Compulsive Cycle:

• Individuals with OCD may repeatedly wash their hands or check door locks in an attempt to reduce their obsessional anxiety. To learn more about OCD and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Pure Obsessional OCD (Pure O) may excessively worry about such things as causing harm or acting sexually inappropriate. To learn more about Pure O and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Gay OCD / HOCD / Sexual Orientation OCD obsess about their sexual orientation. While many with HOCD are heterosexuals who obsess about the possibility that they are actually gay, a significant percentage of this population are gay people who obsess about the possibility that they may actually be straight. To learn more about Gay OCD / HOCD / Sexual Orientation OCD and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Harm OCD obsess about the possibility that they may cause harm to others or themselves (or that they have already done so). These obsessions may focus on causing purposeful harm (i.e., stabbing a loved one) or accidental harm (i.e., running over an innocent pedestrian). To learn more about Harm OCD and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Scrupulosity OCD obsess about being guilty of religious, moral, or ethical failure. Those afflicted with Scrupulosity fear that their effort to live according to their spiritual or moral values not only isn’t good enough, but is in direct violation of God or their personal moral beliefs.  To learn more about Scrupulosity OCD and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Relationship OCD (ROCD) obsess about the strength, quality, and “true nature” of their love for their partner.  At its core, ROCD is focused on two basic obsessions: “What if I don’t really love my partner” and “What if I am with the wrong person”.  To learn more about ROCD and its treatment, click here.

• Women with Postpartum OCD may repeatedly worry that they will hurt their children, either by accident or on purpose. To learn more about Postpartum OCD and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) may compulsively check themselves in mirrors to diminish their anxiety about their appearance. To learn more about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Hypochondria / Health Anxiety may repeatedly visit medical doctors in an attempt to reduce their anxiety about having an illness or disease. To learn more about Hypochondria / Health Anxiety and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) may compulsively pull their scalp or body hair in response to either stress or boredom. To learn more about Trichotillomania and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Dermatillomania (Skin Picking Disorder) may repeatedly pick at the skin on their face or other body parts in response to either stress or boredom. To learn more about Compulsive Skin Picking and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Panic Disorder regularly avoid situations in which they fear experiencing a panic attack. To learn more about Panic Disorder and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Phobias habitually avoid exposure to specific objects or situations that they fear may cause anxiety. To learn more about Phobias and their treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Social Anxiety (Social Phobia) regularly avoid certain social situations in an effort to prevent the anxiety they experience in those situations. To learn more about Social Anxiety (Social Phobia) and its treatment, click here.
• Individuals with Olfactory Reference Syndrome may regularly wear excessive amounts of perfume in an effort to diminish the anxiety they experience regarding their odor. To learn more about Olfactory Reference Syndrome and its treatment, click here.