What causes OCD to get worse?
by Katherine Pica LCSW
Did I turn off the oven? Did I lock the front door? What if I left my curling iron on? Did I turn off the faucet before I left the house? Did my hands touch something contaminated? Will something bad happen to my family? These are common Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) thoughts.
What is OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is when a person has obsessional thoughts and/or feels driven to do compulsions. Obsessions are the thoughts that initially pop into your head. Compulsions are the acts/behaviors or mental acts that are done in response to the obsessions. OCD also causes distress and anxiety when compulsions are not performed.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder symptoms can worsen over time, especially if left untreated. The compulsions and obsessions associated with OCD can become more intense and even more difficult to manage.
Here are 6 causes of worsening OCD.
1. Compulsions
Giving in to the compulsions actually makes OCD worse. For people who struggle with OCD, doing a compulsion may initially feel like they have no choice. Isn't this part of OCD? As an OCD therapist, I often hear that it can feel impossible not do a compulsion. But here is the thing, the more compulsions you do, the more and more OCD will want from you. It will likely feel better to wash your hands or triple-check that lock. And yes it actually does feel better, but only in the moment. The problem is that it actually ends up reinforcing the obsession and ends up feeding and growing OCD over time. When working with an OCD therapist, the goal is to take small steps and chip away piece by piece to reduce and eliminate compulsions.
2. Avoidance
When struggling with OCD, it may feel like you are losing control over a situation; it can be a huge trigger. So what often ends up happening is that they will avoid things in order to gain a sense of control over anxiety. “If I don't leave my home, I will not get contaminated.” This statement, which in the short term will fix the problem, but in the long term, it reinforces OCD and also can cause isolation. It is not helpful for OCD because it gives OCD the power to OCD and never allows the situation to be faced over time. It makes your world smaller and smaller. When working with an OCD therapist, we work towards taking small steps to reduce avoidance in order to take back control from OCD.
3. Reassurance
Are my hands clean? Did you sanitize the light switch? Did I really lock the front door? Are you sure I am a good person? Did I turn my hair straightener off…are you sure? When we worry or have anxiety we can often look to others to give us reassurance. From time to time this is very normal and makes us feel better. However, for an OCD sufferer, this actually feeds and grows OCD. When loved ones reassure OCD sufferers, it actually ends up reinforcing their original fear and feeds into the OCD cycle. Why would this be? This makes no sense to most, because it actually makes most people feel better. The key is that it will make people feel better in the moment but does not allow their brain to start to learn to tolerate discomfort. In the short term, it feels better, but in the long term, it grows OCD. OCD treatment is about momentarily sitting with short-term discomfort and getting long-term success. For those who struggle with OCD this actually turns into a compulsion.
4. Ruminating
What is ruminating? The route of the word rumination comes from the class of animals called ruminants, cows, goats, sheep, etc. These animals chew their food, swallow it and then bring it back up and chew it again. We use this term to explain a mental process of over-thinking. Chewing something over and over and over again. Trying to fix something, trying to solve a problem, trying to think of all the worst-case scenarios, trying to plan something to every last fine detail. Ruminating is overthinking, and it is a mental compulsion that actually feeds OCD. It may feel like you need to think things over and over again. It may feel out of your control.
5. Stress
Stress is very difficult for anyone, but especially for someone who is struggling with OCD. Think of it like this. When anyone experiences stress, their body usually has an emotional and sometimes physical response. When someone is already struggling with OCD, the stress can send the symptoms they’re experiencing with OCD spiraling out of control
6. Isolation
When struggling with any mental health difficulties, we often see people pulling away from their family and friends. Social events seem like a chore. Maybe seeing friends brings more stress and anxiety than normal. Maybe social events actually trigger OCD. Maybe it just is not fun anymore. As an OCD therapist, I often see sufferers isolating from family and friends. While it may seem like an easier route initially, over time, it can cause sufferers to feel quite alone. Also, OCD and anxiety seem to hit the strongest when sufferers are alone with their thoughts, with nothing else to do but to overthink. It may seem difficult to be social, but the isolation can actually feed and grow OCD over time. As an OCD therapist, I work with my clients to start to take small steps to reach back out to family and friends. Maybe a call or a text or maybe even plan an outing. Know that this may be difficult, but when in OCD treatment, it is part of recovery from OCD. That is what OCD therapy is about: taking small steps to overcome OCD’s grip on your life.
Working with an OCD therapist can help you take back control of your life.
When working with an OCD therapist, you can start to take steps to get your life back. OCD therapy is very powerful and has been shown to be very effective at treating OCD symptoms. You do not have to go through this alone. There is help and treatment available.
Try OCD treatment today - In-person sessions in San Diego, CA
Don’t give up hope because you’ve tried treatment before, and it hasn’t worked. Resilience Counseling local to San Diego. We have a team of OCD therapists who can help. Available for in person appointments or video appointments for clients all over the state of California. If you are ready to take the first step in getting help with your OCD, please contact us so we can set up a free, 15-minute consultation today.
Author Bio: Katherine Pica OCD Therapist - San Diego, CA
Katherine Pica, LCSW is the owner and clinical director of Resilience Counseling. She supervises all the OCD therapists at Resilience Counseling. She has been practicing since 2007 for over 19 years! Trained in ERP for OCD and EMDR for Trauma. Katherine brings years of experience to her team! Available in San Diego, CA, for in-person therapy and all over California for virtual therapy.
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Disclaimer: The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional and or medical advice, diagnosis, and or treatment. It is important to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health and/or medical condition. Never disregard any professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Resilience Counseling website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, 911, or your local emergency number immediately.
