Do you go through your day carrying out compulsions or trying to wade through overwhelming obsessive thoughts and think, “OCD is ruining my life”? If so, you’re not alone. Approximately half of all adults in the U.S. who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms experience severe impairment from the condition. 

OCD can affect your quality of life, with the overwhelming time and effort to try to quiet the anxious thoughts straining your relationships and affecting your productivity. Fortunately, it’s possible to take back control of your mental health and work toward the life you want to live by managing your OCD.

We’re here to help you learn strategies to prevent OCD from taking over your life. You can also work with your providers, such as a therapist or psychiatrist, to brainstorm possible ways that may help.

• Acknowledge and accept possible risks of a situation.

One of the drivers of all anxiety disorders, including OCD, is the fear of uncertainty and lacking control. The urge to complete a compulsion often comes from the belief that it will bring a certain outcome, usually a positive one. But the unfortunate truth is that nothing is certain in life and many things are out of your hands. 

By learning to accept potential risks of a situation for a greater benefit, you can embrace the uncertainty and open yourself up to different possibilities. Even though it’s natural to have a fear of the unknown, it also can bring a lot of excitement. 

• Recognize that you’re not alone in having intrusive thoughts.

Obsessive thoughts from OCD are usually described as intrusive because they are unwanted and occur without warning. Intrusive thoughts can cause significant distress, and compulsions are performed to relieve that distress or prevent perceived harm, though the relief is temporary.

Intrusive thoughts are a hallmark of OCD; furthermore, more than 6 million people in the U.S. experience unwanted thoughts that just won’t go away, even if they don’t have an OCD diagnosis. Even though your OCD should be given the support and treatment needed to alleviate intrusive thoughts, knowing that they aren’t exclusive to your condition may help you to feel less alone in your experience. It also gives the thoughts less power over your actions.

• Gradually perform your compulsions less “perfectly.”

There are many compulsions that are carried out until they feel “perfect,” especially for those who have just right OCD. Even though we all know that perfection doesn’t exist, our brain doesn’t always let us remember that. But it’s possible to complete your compulsions, and gradually give them less power over time, by not doing them “perfectly.”

Purposefully doing compulsions in an imperfect way can take away some of the power that OCD has on your brain through a bit of rebellion. You’re breaking the cycle of compulsions that are completed in response to anxious thoughts craving perfectionism.

• Find confidence in yourself without reassurance. 

Seeking reassurance is a common symptom of OCD, whether it’s -checking something repeatedly or asking others to validate your actions. Try to slowly reduce your need for reassurance a bit more each day. This could mean not triple-checking that something was placed correctly or that you closed a door. Acknowledge the thought and try to sit with the uncomfortable feeling without taking action.

Be confident in your own abilities. You can establish a strong willpower against the anxious thoughts by resisting the urge to seek reassurance. A licensed clinical therapist can help you with this.

There isn’t a “cure” for OCD. For many people, it’s an ongoing battle that has ups and downs. However, with treatment, by incorporating strategies and mindset adjustments into your lifestyle, you can be empowered to recognize your own capabilities to work toward the life you want to live.

Taking control of your OCD takes time and requires support from mental health professionals, like therapists and psychiatrists. If you’re struggling to fight against the hold OCD has on your everyday life, one of our four levels of care may be the answer you’re looking for:

• Residential Treatment
• Partial Hospitalization Program 
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Virtual Services (vPHP/vIOP)

All four options at Lightfully consist of evidence-based, data-driven and whole-person-centered care provided by deeply compassionate experts. We can help you loosen the grip that OCD has on your mental health to improve your everyday life. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.