Exploring the Connection Between OCD and Anxiety

Understanding OCD and Anxiety

Hi there, dear reader. You know, if I had a nickel for every time my rollercoaster of thoughts made life feel like a never-ending loop, well, I’d probably have enough to buy a fancy coffee at some hipster cafe downtown. Okay, moving past my poor attempt at humor, let’s talk about something a little heavier: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety. Right off the bat, did you know that nearly half of those with OCD also have an anxiety disorder? It’s no joke! So let’s dig in and shine a light on the connections between these two. 

OCD, if you aren’t already aware, is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that can lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) as a way of trying to ease anxiety. Sure, it’s normal to double-check if you turned off the stove, but when this sort of behavior becomes a recurring ritual, it’s no longer just tidying up. It’s OCD. 

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Anxiety, on the other hand, is a generalized feeling of worry. It’s akin to that horrible feeling you have when you think you’ve forgotten something, but you can’t remember what. Isn’t the human brain just the worst sometimes? With anxiety, it’s like your alarm system is constantly on high alert, often over seemingly insignificant reasons or, occasionally, no discernible reason at all. 

Now, what’s the connection between these two uninvited guests at the party that is your mental health? Basically, both conditions tend to feed off each other — kind of like a tumultuous love-hate relationship. OCD behaviors are fueled by anxiety and the more these behaviors occur, the more anxious a person might become. It’s a vicious cycle that’s really exhausting…

The Vicious Cycle: Anxiety Triggering OCD, and OCD Triggering Anxiety

You see, there’s a bit of a feedback loop between anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Picture two hamsters running on glance-sharing wheels, except those adorable hamsters are elements of mental distress, and boy, they’re not as cute. This is what it sounds like inside my head sometimes, “Run, anxiety, run and power up the OCD! No, no, run OCD, power up the anxiety!” It’s a merry-go-round of mental tumult, only significantly less merry.

The whole shebang starts when anxiety begins to flare up. Remember that time in high school when you anxiously studied for an exam for days and then forgot everything the moment you were handed the question paper? Yeah, it’s kinda like that. Only instead of forgetting, your OCD decides to go on overdrive. It’s like it’s downing espresso shots to keep up with the heightened anxiety, only to result in too much energy and nowhere for it to go.

The rituals, the obsessions–they all ramp up in intensity. Doing the rituals helps, or well, it feels like it helps. It yanks you back into the moment, gives you back that fleeting sense of control. But let’s not kid ourselves. It’s momentary. 

Because voila!, and here comes the interesting part. After all the obsessing and constraining rituals, guess what tag teams back in? Yeap, you guessed it– anxiety. It’s like it waits in the wings, getting all grim and pumped up for its next round in the spotlight. In the post-ritual refraction period, the anxiety feeds off the consequential guilt or uncertainty. It’s a gift that just keeps on giving. 

And so, yet another round of this waltz between anxiety and OCD begins. It is a cyclical interaction, a perpetual-motion machine fuelled by worry and compulsion, with each reinforcing the other.[1] 

So What Can I Do About It?

Now, you might be wondering, “Great, OCD and anxiety go together like two peas in one messed-up psychological pod. So, what’s a poor soul like me supposed to do about it?” 

Well, first off, give yourself a pat on the back because understanding the connection is half the battle won. Know that you’re not alone in this. There are millions of us around the world who struggle, on both smaller and grander scales, with the same challenge. 

But here’s the good news. Successful approaches for handling both OCD and anxiety disorders do exist. Often, they take the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT) like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) that make you face your fears head-on.1 

Another important strategy is cultivating a tidy practice of self-care. Remember to take time for yourself. Have a hot bath, meditate, or just curl up with a good book and a hot cup of cocoa. These moments of solitude can work wonders. 

And let’s not forget about the power of medication. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to be particularly effective in treating OCD and anxiety.2 

• Talk to your doctor or psychiatrist before starting any new medication, and always remember to take it as prescribed.

• Don’t beat yourself up if you need a pill to help get through the day. We all need a little help sometimes, don’t we?

Last but certainly not least, find a supportive community. There’s nothing quite like the comfort of speaking to someone who really ‘gets it’. Many resources are available online, from forums and blogs to virtual support groups.3 

I guess what I’m trying to say here is: managing OCD and anxiety isn’t an overnight job. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. But hold your head high and know that every step forward is a successful stride towards a happier, healthier you. 

Remember, you are brave, you are strong, and you are not alone in this.

References: 

1. Harvard Health Publishing. Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.[https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-a-to-z#:~:text=and%20treated%20early.-,Treatment,-The%20most%20effective]

2. Mayo Clinic. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432]

3. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Find a Therapist.[https://members.adaa.org/page/FATMain]

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