Common Traits Associated with OCD

When we think of obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD as it is commonly known as, we often think of patterns of obsessive thoughts. These thoughts are usually associated with an intense fear of something dreadful happening. The compulsions that follow usually involve some kind of ritual to try to prevent the dreadful thing happening. For example hoping your loved one will arrive at their destination safely by running your hand over the light switch while breathing a particular way and thinking a particular thought a certain number of times to make sure it is switched off may sound strange but for many people who suffer with OCD this is common. In fact the compulsion to avoid the disaster by performing the ritual is so strong that the thought of not doing it is overwhelming. Sometimes the initial fear is forgotten as the compulsion to perform the ritual takes over.

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There are other traits however associated with OCD that sometimes get overlooked as we tend to focus more on the behaviours. For example it is common for people with OCD to find it difficult to function if they don’t know everything about a particular situation. This can lead to a heightened feeling of anxiety, which in turn fuels the OCD.

Another common trait is feeling responsible for everything and everyone, even for people or events that have nothing to do with them. This intense feeling of responsibility often leads to the obsessive thinking.

There is also an all or nothing kind of thinking associated with OCD. This is extreme black or white, right or wrong, yes or no and so on. No shades in between. I believe this is often why it has to be a particular number of times a ritual has to be performed in a particular way. It must be so, there is no half way.

Lastly I’ve noticed lots of people who present with OCD have a strong and persistent desire to be reassured by others. I feel this can be due to an inability to internalise success and achievement without validation from others. It can also be due to a lack of self-confidence, uncertainty and an inability to feel or exercise autonomy. Also the inability to accept that everything is okay without hearing it from others.

This list is by no means exhaustive and not everyone who endures OCD will have these traits. However if they sound familiar then counselling can help address these feelings and thinking habits. Working collaboratively with your therapist you can begin to manage the obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviours.

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Tags: anxiety, counselling, obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, self confidence