Tag: Relationship OCD

Relationship OCD Cases Rise as More People Seek Help Many people experience occasional doubts about their relationships, but for those living with Relationship OCD (ROCD), these thoughts become constant, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting. Mental health specialists say awareness of the condition has grown in recent years, encouraging more people to seek professional support. Relationship OCD Goes Beyond Normal Doubts Sophia, a 24 year old content creator and waitress from Leeds, has been in a happy relationship for more than a year. Despite loving her boyfriend, she often finds herself questioning every part of their relationship. She repeatedly wonders whether they are truly compatible, whether she really loves him, or whether she should end the relationship. At the height of her anxiety, Sophia struggled to leave her home because she feared she might cheat on her partner. She also avoided work and spent entire days asking ChatGPT the same questions again and again, hoping for reassurance that her relationship was safe. What Is Relationship OCD? Mental health experts explain that Relationship OCD is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder that creates persistent intrusive thoughts about romantic relationships. Unlike everyday uncertainty, these worries become repetitive, difficult to control, and emotionally draining. People with ROCD often seek constant reassurance, mentally review their feelings, or repeatedly test their partners in an effort to reduce anxiety. However, these actions usually provide only temporary relief before the doubts return. Experts Explain the Emotional Impact Professor David Veale, a consultant psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, says Relationship OCD can consume hours of a person's day. Instead of occasional concerns, people experience repeated thoughts that interfere with work, relationships, and daily routines. Sophia describes the condition as emotional torture. She says the constant stream of unwanted thoughts makes it difficult to enjoy her relationship, even though she deeply cares about her partner. More Awareness Is Encouraging People to Seek Help Obsessive compulsive disorder affects around 1.2 percent of the UK population. However, health experts cannot determine exactly how many people have Relationship OCD because healthcare systems do not record it as a separate diagnosis. Researchers also say there is not enough evidence to confirm whether the condition affects women more often than men, although some clinicians believe women may seek help slightly more frequently. Professor Guy Doron, a clinical psychologist at Reichman University in Israel, says research on Relationship OCD was limited when he first began studying the condition more than a decade ago. Today, he is seeing more people referred for treatment. He believes growing public awareness through research and social media has encouraged individuals to recognize their symptoms and seek professional support. Early Recognition Can Make a Difference Mental health professionals stress that intrusive relationship doubts should not be ignored when they become persistent and interfere with everyday life. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help people manage obsessive thoughts, reduce anxiety, and build healthier relationships. As awareness of Relationship OCD continues to grow, experts hope more people will understand that these intrusive thoughts are a mental health condition rather than a reflection of their true feelings.
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Relationship OCD Cases Rise as More People Seek Help

Many people experience occasional doubts about their relationships, but for those living…

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