MythBusters: Understanding Relationship OCD (ROCD)

ROCD is a more obscure subtype of OCD cantering around relationship uncertainty that is characterized by doubts, fears and worry. However, there is much misunderstanding around ROCD, which in most cases makes victims of ROCD misunderstood and pay a sense of loneliness. Ok. Let us bust a few myths and get to the facts.

Myth 1: ROCD is romantic only Myth (only)

Although ROCD is mainly linked to the aspects of romance it is not exclusive to these. It also may apply to intimate relations including friendship, family ties and even to professional associations. It is not that kind of relationship but rather the intrusive, anxiety driven thoughts that affect the ability to have peace of mind.

Myth 2: ROCD indicates that a person does not love his partner

The absence of certainty in the relationship is one of the most destructive oversights since it implies that an individual is out of love. The fact is that individuals who are ROCD may genuinely love their partner and desire that the relationship succeed. The doubts, which are intrusive, do not represent their actual thoughts but it is the product of compulsive thoughts.

Myth 3: It is an indication that you have a bad relationship because of ROCD

ROCD can interfere with otherwise healthy and satisfying relationships. The issue would be within the thoughts and compulsions- getting too much reassurance or comparing the relationship to other people; the actual relationship would be external. Without managing these behaviours, they may cause strain, however, it is the OCD but not specifically the relationship that is causing the strain.

Myth 4: Higher anxiety or ROCD only requires people to calm down

Reminding a person with ROCD that they need to get over it or to relax is not only ignorant of the disorder, but denying the existence of it. ROCD is a psychological disorder that should be treated by professionals in most cases and may include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or exposure response prevention (ERP). It is time-consuming, practice-requiring and support-dependent and cannot be packaged as simple counsel.