Living with, supporting and loving an OCD spouse is absolutely possible. One factor is learning how to effectively cope with your spouse's obsessions and compulsions, rather than putting up with them.
In some instances, the partner of the person with OCD simply denies that the disorder exists, but in most cases, spouses report that their loved one's OCD greatly affects them. Spouses and other family members often report feelings of frustration, isolation, shame and guilt.
It can be difficult, demanding and exhausting to live with a person who has OCD. Family members and friends may become deeply involved in the person's rituals and may have to assume responsibility and care for many daily activities that the person with OCD is unable to undertake.
The patient is often addicted to his/her loved ones and transmits his excessive concerns to them. The studies describe increased marital distress, less satisfaction with their partner and couples experiencing less intimacy.
Because symptoms usually worsen with age, people may have difficulty remembering when OCD began, but can sometimes recall when they first noticed that the symptoms were disrupting their lives. As you may already know, the symptoms of OCD include the following: Unwanted or upsetting doubts.
If you have ROCD, situations that may trigger intrusive thoughts about your relationship include: stressful events or transitions. being sexually intimate with your partner. being with or without your partner in social situations.
OCD sufferers have a heightened sense of fear and lack of security, which can manifest itself in the need for constant reassurance from their partner or spouse. On the other side of OCD, you might find yourself incessantly saying things such as, “Yes, I love you.” OR “Yes, you look beautiful”.
In moments of frustration, your partner might result to unhelpful reactions such as criticizing, snapping at, or belittling you. At times, they might even blame you for not being able to control your OCD symptoms, even if they know deep down you're trying your hardest.
Relationship OCD symptoms include obsessive thoughts about the relationship that may show up in your behavior. Repetitive thoughts. Relationship OCD causes repetitive thoughts such as: “Are they 'the one,' or is someone else out there a better match for me?”
These obsessions and compulsions can range in severity, but what causes OCD to get worse over time is not properly managing the condition earlier on. Stress, trauma, avoidance, or even something as seemingly innocuous as a change in routine can all contribute to the worsening of OCD.
More percentage of divorce is one reason reported in OCD sufferers in contrast with married people. It has also been reported divorce rate in men is 40% and in women is 39.6%2.
Because of the debilitating nature of OCD, many adult OCD sufferers find themselves living at home with parents or other family members. Since OCD sufferers are often unable to work, it can be financially impractical to live independently.
People with OCD can also experience episodes of anger. OCD is a chronic, distressing condition, so feeling angry makes sense. In fact, anger is a common human emotion that everyone experiences. But intense anger, particularly when it turns into aggression, can be distressing for people with OCD and their loved ones.
Trauma, stress, and abuse all can be a cause of OCD getting worse. OCD causes intense urges to complete a task or perform a ritual. For those who have the condition, obsessions and compulsions can begin to rule their life.
Common Compulsions of Relationship OCD
Seeking reassurance that their partner truly loves them. Having sex with their partner for the purpose of ensuring that they are still attracted to them. Avoidance of deepening their relationship so that they won't be hurt when their relationship fails.
People with severe OCD have obsessions with cleanliness and germs — washing their hands, taking showers, or cleaning their homes for hours a day. Sometimes they're afraid to leave home for fear of contamination.
You can be supportive of the person you love who is suffering, but stop supporting the disorder. When the family stops accommodating OCD behavior, the person who suffers from OCD can become more motivated to seek treatment.
Of 10 155 persons with OCD (5935 women and 4220 men with a mean [SD] age of 29.1 [11.3] years who contributed a total of 54 937 person-years of observation), 110 (1.1%) died during the average follow-up of 9.7 years.
Around the ages of 10 to 12 years, the first peak of OCD cases occur. This time frequently coincides with increasing school and performance pressures, in addition to biologic changes of brain and body that accompany puberty.