Common Fears & OCD Subtypes
OCD subtypes can help people to find community with others who share similar experiences, and they can assist therapists in designing targeted treatment plans, but they don't tell the whole story. If you can't find your subtype, that doesn't mean you don't have OCD—everyone's experience is unique, and many people's OCD symptoms don't fit neatly into any specific theme.
Relationship OCD
Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (R-OCD) is an OCD subtype that is characterized by ongoing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior around uncertainty of a relationship. People with R-OCD experience frequent doubting thoughts about one or more relationships (e.g., “Am I truly in love with my partner?”) in spite of little evidence supporting the need for these doubts. The doubting thoughts are often viewed as an indication that the relationship may be disingenuous or “flawed” in some way, which fuels anxiety about the relationship and drives sufferers to engage in various compulsions aimed at gaining certainty about their relationship status (e.g., asking for continual reassurance from a friend).
It’s fair to say that even the strongest relationships have their ups and downs. That’s just how relationships work. If your partner also has ROCD
By Jenna Demmer
Reviewed by Tracie Ibrahim
The short answer is: Yes. But stick with us because there’s a lot you should know about the connection between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the
I know firsthand how important it is to find treatment for relationship OCD (ROCD). I have struggled with this theme of OCD myself, and it felt like a
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder categorized by excessive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive — and
Reviewed by Dr. Keara Valentine
Do you find yourself constantly seeking reassurance from your partner that they love you? That they even want to be with you? That you're attracted to
Have you ever wondered to yourself, “What if I’m not in love with my partner anymore? What if I’ve never been?” Practically everyone has experienced some
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Anybody might doubt certain parts of their relationships, from their feelings for one another to whether they should be together at all. These doubts are
In 2014, I had just broken up with my boyfriend of five years. I was in distress, because this was a person I wondered about marrying. Little did I know I
I wouldn’t wish OCD on my worst enemy. Here is how I’d describe it to someone who isn’t as familiar with the condition: Imagine you are driving on the
By Stephen Smith
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
While it’s difficult to predict when or how OCD will worsen, stress, comorbidities and life circumstances can all play a significant role.
If you're constantly feeling worried whether or not your partner loves you, you're not alone—and you don't always have to feel this way.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
You may want to commit, but when it comes time to actually do it, your alarm bells sound. Learn what's going on, and what you can do.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Cheating may have left you with a barrage of questions, and it's natural to find them overwhelming. But how can you learn to cope?
By Jenna Demmer
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
With a significant age gap, you may wonder if there’s too much distance between you. But if it becomes a real obsession we have help.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
It’s normal to overthink things sometimes. But if it’s getting in the way of your life and ability to make connections with people, it could be a component of OCD.
By Jenna Demmer
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
If you're worried about your own feelings for someone else, it's important to draw the line between obsession and love.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Let's untangle some of the reasons that you might be feeling first-date anxiety—as well as the kinds of steps you can take to overcome it.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Being vulnerable is important for building relationships, but it’s not always easy to open up. Here’s why that might be, and how to find help.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Are you afraid of losing your independence if you’re with someone else? And at the same time, do you also long for intimacy?
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
How to know if your feelings are love, lust or even a sign of a mental health issue—from a therapist with expertise.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC