Compulsive hand washing, checking that doors are locked, and hoarding are common symptoms of OCD.
But a specific but lesser-known form of OCD can spell doom for your relationship, psychologists say.
People struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) may give up on their own marriage or obsess over their partner’s perceived shortcomings.
However, a team of researchers from Israel now believe that a simple mobile application can alleviate the symptoms of the disease.
People with ROCD may have trouble maintaining a healthy relationship. Patients often worry about whether they are in the “right” relationship, how intense their feelings are for their partner, and how their partner thinks about them.
Healthy romantic relationships can increase mental and physical health, well-being and self-esteem, the researchers found.
However, people with ROCD may have trouble maintaining it.
Patients often worry about whether they are in the “right” relationship, how intense their feelings are for their partner, and how their partner thinks about them.
Alternatively, people with ROCD may suffer from doubts and worries about their partner’s perceived shortcomings, such as their appearance and intelligence.
This can cause patients to become preoccupied with thoughts such as whether their partner is funny enough, images of one of their partners looking unattractive and urges to leave their partner.
As with other forms of OCD, these intrusive experiences are “unwanted and often unexpected,” the researchers said.
ROCD symptoms are linked to low sexual satisfaction, low commitment, insecure attachment and excessive jealousy, the team said.
Cognitive behavioral therapy – a form of talk therapy – is the main treatment.
However, researchers at Reichman University in Israel investigated whether a phone app could protect against ROCD symptoms.
They recruited 103 heterosexual couples who were on average 26 years old.
Half were asked to use the app daily. This involves looking at behaviors associated with ROCD, similar to profiles on a dating app, and categorizing them as good or bad.
For example, the app will display a statement such as “Doubting my partner will destroy me,” which must be swiped away as if the thought is being “thrown away,” researchers said.
For example, the app will display a statement such as “Doubting my partner will destroy me,” which must be swiped away as if the thought is being “thrown away,” researchers said. Another statement, “I am able to dismiss my doubts about relationships,” should be brushed aside as if you “embrace” the concept.
Another statement, “I can dismiss my doubts about the relationship,” should be deleted as if the concept was “embracing.”
Participants were surveyed about their relationship and sexual satisfaction, the prevalence of OCD and RCOD symptoms, and their mental health at baseline, after using the app, and one month later.
The results, published in the journal Heliyon, showed that those who did not use the app experienced an increase in their OCD and ROCD scores, while those who did use the app “reported no such increase do not have.”
The researchers said the app “was not associated with symptom reduction, but instead protected against the increase in symptoms seen in the control group.”
They hypothesized that the results may be because those who do not use the app experience ROCD behavior during stressful times.
Meanwhile, those who used it were now better able to control ROCD behavior during periods of stress, they argued.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
