Struggling with OCD in your relationship? Learn how OCD and Relationship OCD (R-OCD) impact love, trust, and connection. Discover common symptoms like reassurance-seeking, how they affect partners, and three ways loved ones can provide support. Plus, find out how therapy, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), can help. Read more at Better Minds Counseling & Services.

Relationship OCD (R-OCD) is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that affects romantic, familial, and platonic relationships. People with R-OCD experience intrusive thoughts and compulsions that lead to persistent doubts about their feelings or the feelings of others, resulting in significant distress. Common symptoms include obsessive doubts, reassurance-seeking, hyper-focus on flaws, and constant comparisons. R-OCD can be triggered by genetic factors, past traumas, and personal insecurities, and can worsen with stress, lack of sleep, and avoidance behaviors.

R-OCD can impact any relationship, from romantic partners to friendships and family bonds. Managing R-OCD involves understanding the disorder, practicing mindfulness, and reducing compulsive behaviors. The gold standard treatment for R-OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, which helps individuals confront their fears and resist compulsions, ultimately reducing symptoms and improving relationship quality. By learning to manage R-OCD, individuals can reclaim their peace and build healthier connections.

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) involves persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that disrupt daily life. Common themes include perfectionism, contamination, and harm. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a highly effective therapy for OCD. ERP gradually exposes individuals to their fears while preventing compulsive behaviors, helping them break the cycle of OCD and regain control over their lives.