How OCD Affects Relationships

Being in a relationship with someone that has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be difficult when the other partner has limited knowledge of this condition. OCD is characterised by three important features: obsessions, compulsions, and anxiety. There are day-to-day realities that will be hard to understand when it comes to relationships. And, the lack of comprehension could put a strain on all relationships, not just romantically involved ones.

Read on if you’d like to learn more about how OCD affects relationships.

With Romantic Partner

Being in a romantic relationship where one partner has OCD can be difficult. This is why individuals with OCD choose to avoid intimate relationships altogether. This heightened sense of insecurity and fear manifests itself and requires constant reassurance. This can put some strain on the other partner and lead to resentment.

Moreover, relationship OCD exists. This is the event where the relationship becomes the main focus of a person’s OCD. This means that their thoughts, compulsions, and anxieties centre around their loved one. The sufferer will constantly question their relationship, asking themselves things like:

• Do I really love them?
• Are they the one for me?
• I don’t like how they dress; should we break up?

With Family & Friends

In many cases, those who suffer from this disorder tend to suffer from a constant state of anxiety or uncertainty. This could require repeated reassurance from those closest to them. Even for family and friends, this can feel overwhelming and exhausting.

Depending on the severity of the person’s OCD, family and friends need to give them space and time to carry out rituals. Sometimes, they’re forced to participate in these compulsions, which can be tiresome. It’s often that individuals with OCD feel depressed because of their thoughts and anxiety. These feelings can weigh heavily on family and friends.

In moments like this, it’s advised to get in touch with a mental health professional to learn more about how to support your loved one.

With Work Colleagues

The compulsions and anxiety associated with OCD make it difficult to get through the work day. Typically, people with OCD struggle with things like productivity, punctuality, or performance. Simple tasks often become challenging, leading to strained relationships with their employer.

Sadly, many choose to suffer in silence because they don’t want to be treated differently or think they’ll miss out on potential promotions and opportunities if they let their employer know about their condition. When it comes to the workplace, OCD sufferers also struggle with the following:

• Feeling like colleagues are judging them
• Constantly worrying about their OCD behaviour and how coworkers view them
• Avoidance of certain tasks because they trigger negative thoughts
• Resentment from coworkers because of rituals or compulsions

Final Thoughts

Understanding how OCD affects relationships is the first step to finding a solution. Whether you want to improve your relationship with your partner, family, or work colleagues, it all starts with managing OCD symptoms.

OCD & CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for OCD disorders. This type of therapy teaches you how to modify the negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to your condition. It also helps you develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Access CBT offer CBT treatment for all types of depressive and anxiety disorder issues with in-person depression CBT Counselling in Liverpool or Online Support

The NHS UK also offers a number of support groups and advice for those suffering from OCD disorders