Obsessive symptoms and behaviours are often called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In the IAEBP we see obsessive symptoms as being different from compulsive symptoms as they have a different effect on you.
If you have obsessive symptoms or OCD you will focus with great concentration on a specific activity. You could repeat this over and over again and you may also find yourself thinking about something to the exclusion of everything going on around you. You may find you have to do things a certain way to prevent something ’bad’ happening to people you care about. You might always drive a particular route and become uncomfortable or distressed if this is interrupted. You might carry out tasks in a particular order for example: switching off lights, washing hands, constantly checking your home security in a particular way. You may find yourself running through lists of facts or processes connected to work. However none of these actions makes you feel any relief and the underlying anxiety is still there. You will not feel that anything has been accomplished which is why the actions are constantly repeated.
If this sounds like you these obsessive thoughts and symptoms will be interfering in your life and will mean you are struggling to enjoy a normal life. If you can’t carry out everyday activities without needing to go through rituals or without obsessive thoughts constantly coming into your mind, then I can help you with gentle effective therapy.
You will feel worse if you are going through a more stressful time at the moment. You could find yourself hiding your obsessional behaviour from your family, friends and colleagues because you are afraid that they will criticise you or laugh about your behavior. You will feel worse and worse if you worry about this, lowering your self esteem and setting off another cycle of obsessional symptoms.
Here are some common obsessive symptoms: