Is it OCD, or a way of coping?
by Joseph Eliezer, Vancouver Counsellor & Psychotherapist on January 25th, 2021
If you are wondering whether your, or somebody' else's, repetitive behaviour is a sign of OCD, this article might help shed some light:
https://healthing.prod.postmedia.digital/opinion/advice/advice-my-sister-in-law-wont-stop-taking-showers/wcm/a8a95c5c-d079-4675-84ec-91cb95589ef7
https://healthing.prod.postmedia.digital/opinion/advice/advice-my-sister-in-law-wont-stop-taking-showers/wcm/a8a95c5c-d079-4675-84ec-91cb95589ef7
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2 Comments
Alexis - February 1st, 2021 at 12:30 PM
The title of your post suggests that the concepts of OCD and coping strategies are mutually exclusive. Unfortunately, they are not. Although ultimately maladaptive, the repetitive behaviours associated with intrusive thoughts and fears are often used as a way of coping. Excessive Self-Care's sister-in-law may indeed be using showering to cope with intrusive thoughts and even if this behaviour "soothes" her thoughts, the effect is only temporary, which could account for the repetitive behaviour - showering multiple times a day. My point being, this isn't necessarily an either/or situation, it could be both.
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Joseph - February 1st, 2021 at 6:56 PM
Thank you, Alexis, you made an excellent point.
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