Feeling something like an obsession with a new partner isn’t unusual. Wondering whether you’ve found the one or worrying that a new boyfriend or girlfriend will be unfaithful is common in new relationships. Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is more extreme and may require obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.
People with relationship OCD hang onto doubts and securities to the point that they destroy their relationships. Relationship OCD has gained more attention only recently, but it’s treatable. Call Promises at 844.875.5609 for more information about the types of OCD treatment we offer.
What Are the Types of OCD Symptoms?
OCD is a mental health disorder with symptoms that are grouped into four categories. A person living with OCD can experience one or all of the types of OCD symptoms:
1. Checking
Compulsive checking behaviors might include getting up several times every evening to make sure a door is locked. Some people with OCD create elaborate checking rituals because they fear something bad will happen if they forget to perform a task.
2. Order and Symmetry
Order and symmetry obsessions relate to arranging and counting items. People with this symptom type may have a compulsive need to repeatedly count items or constantly rearrange things until they look orderly.
3. Contamination
A fear of contamination is one of the most common symptoms people with OCD experience. These people may be compelled to perform excessive cleaning rituals or avoid touching other people or certain objects to protect themselves from germs.
4. Taboo Thoughts
Everyone has taboo thoughts now and then, but for a person with OCD, these intrusive thoughts can become debilitating. Some may isolate themselves due to fears they will act on an intrusive thought and hurt themselves or someone else.
With relationship OCD, a person’s symptoms are targeted toward their relationship with another person. For example, someone might feel compelled to check on a loved one multiple times a day because they fear something bad will happen if they don’t.
Another person may have intrusive thoughts about their partner, such as their partner being unfaithful. Those intrusive thoughts may lead them to feel unsafe and trigger contamination symptoms. They might also respond by keeping things hyper-ordered, falsely believing that if everything is in its place, their partner will love them more.
Defining Relationship OCD
Relationship OCD is not an official diagnosis; it’s not listed separately in the manual that healthcare providers use to diagnose mental health disorders like OCD. Instead, it’s a subtype of OCD that has recently gained more attention.
This subtype doesn’t present with a different set of symptoms from OCD. Instead, the symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder are targeted around the relationship in question. These may include:
- Having repetitive thoughts and anxieties about the relationship
- Constantly seeking reassurance from the partner or others
- Compulsively comparing the relationship with others (even fictional ones)
- Experiencing sexual difficulties caused by doubt and anxiety
Relationship OCD is harmful not only to the relationship but also to the person with OCD. Obsession with a loved one can impact one’s ability to function. For example, spending hours checking for texts from a significant other may interfere with work, school, or other important relationships.
Get Help With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment at Promises Today
In most cases, relationship OCD doesn’t happen spontaneously. It can be a response to trauma or be the first sign of a previously undiagnosed mental health condition.
All types of OCD can be painful to live with. The good news is that treatment is effective. Psychotherapy and medication can alleviate OCD symptoms and help you build healthy, fulfilling relationships. If you or someone you care about is showing signs of relationship OCD, call Promises at 844.875.5609 to speak with a mental health professional. You can also reach out through our convenient online contact form.