Understanding OCD: Overlooked and Misunderstood

We all know the familiar image of someone meticulously lining up items on their desk or washing their hands over and over. We’ve all heard someone say casual comments like “I’m so OCD,” when they are more likely detail-oriented or even anxious. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood and can be overlooked in many individuals, particularly women. While many people associate OCD with visible rituals or compulsions, the reality is more complex. For women, OCD can manifest in unique ways throughout various life stages, leading to challenges that may go unrecognized including intrusive thoughts, constant reassurance seeking, irritability, and overwhelm or dissociation. 

The Misunderstanding of OCD

OCD is frequently trivialized or mischaracterized as simply being “neat” or “organized.” This narrow view can prevent individuals from receiving the support they need. Specifically, the definitions of “obsessions” and “compulsions” are perceived very narrowly and leave out the majority of the way these symptoms present. 

• Obsessions: Obsessions are a tenacious, invisible symptom that can refer to all kinds of persistent, intrusive thoughts. These thoughts can reference lived experiences, but are often random images, commonly of taboo subject matter than can cause shame, guilt, and worry that something bad will happen because of the thought. It is important to remember that thoughts are involuntary and do not define you or say anything about you as a person. There are other types of obsessions as well that help to expand our understanding of OCD:

  • Germs/contamination

  • Ordering/symmetry

  • Harm/Checking

  • Hoarding

Compulsions: Compulsions are the response someone has to manage the distress or concern brought on by the obsession. This is where hand washing might come into play, or driving home to make sure you left turned off your curling iron. It also might look like rethinking an event over and over in your head, repeating a prayer or phrase a certain amount of times under your breath for safety, or daydreaming how you might prevent something bad that your imagined from happening. Just like any other coping mechanism we develop to survive adversity, compulsions can look many different ways. 

How OCD Shows Up for Women

OCD can manifest differently for women, particularly during significant life stages:

• Adolescence: Young women may experience heightened anxiety about body image, relationships, and academic pressures, often leading to obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

• Pregnancy and Motherhood: Perinatal OCD can emerge during pregnancy or after childbirth, with obsessions focusing on the health and safety of the baby. Women may experience intrusive thoughts about harm coming to their child, leading to compulsive checking behaviors.

• Menopause: Hormonal changes during menopause can exacerbate OCD symptoms, leading to increased anxiety and obsessive thinking.

The Importance of Therapy

Therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals with OCD navigate their challenges and reclaim their lives.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Evidence-based treatments, such as CBT, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), can help individuals identify their fears and reduce compulsive behaviors.

• Trauma-Informed Therapy: While OCD is not always related to trauma, and not all trauma survivors experience OCD, a therapist who is trauma-informed and strengths-based can help you to explore your symptoms that includes why you may have developed the obsessions or compulsions that you did, and to utilize self-compassion in your healing journey.

• Relational Therapy: A therapist that practices from a relational framework can help you to build trust and rapport so that you feel comfortable sharing your intrusive thoughts or pervasive fears in an environment that feels safe and accepting. The experience of attunement and interpersonal repair can also help you to trust others and mitigate anxiety; and make it easier to believe that you are not bad or alone because of even your worst thoughts. 

Taking the Next Step

If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, it’s essential to seek support.

• Find a Therapist: Look for a therapist who specializes in OCD and understands the unique experiences of women. Anyone experiencing OCD deserves to work with a specialized provider that can offer you specific tools and interventions that can bring you actual relief.

• Educate Yourself: Learning about OCD can empower you to seek the care you deserve as well as develop self-understanding and compassion. Living with OCD can impact self-esteem and quality of life. Understanding it from a strengths-based position mitigates the impact of stigma and stereotypes you have encountered throughout your life. 

At Wild Hope Therapy, we recognize that OCD is often overlooked and misunderstood, particularly for women navigating different life stages. Proper support can mean the difference between living with the torment of intrusive thoughts and other obsessions, and the ability to be present and focused in your day to day life. We have specialized providers available in Columbus and virtually throughout Ohio passionate about illuminating OCD for women and female-identifying folks who have suffered alone for too long.