4 Ways OCD Affects Your Mental Health
OCD impacts over 2 million adults in the U.S. While the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, there’s no denying that it can have a major impact on your life when you’re dealing with the disorder. OCD can affect everything from your career or school to your relationships. It can also affect your mental health, creating a sort of “vicious cycle” that might be hard to break on your own.
Thankfully, the more you understand the disorder and how it can impact your mental well-being, the sooner you can take active steps toward getting the help you need and deserve. Let’s take a closer look at four ways OCD affects your mental health and what you can do about it.
1. Feelings of Shame and Loneliness
Most people with OCD recognize that their behaviors are problematic. That doesn’t make them easy to control or just “stop” altogether. You might start to feel ashamed of those thoughts and behaviors because you feel like you can’t control them. As a result, you might even isolate yourself from the people you love, which can lead to loneliness and even stronger feelings of guilt. It’s not uncommon for people with OCD to try to “hide” their symptoms because of shame, but the more you isolate yourself and struggle with guilt, the worse it’s likely to become.
2. Anxiety
OCD can often lead to anxiety disorders. Your obsessions and behaviors can lead to extra stress. You might feel controlled by them or worried that you won’t always be able to give in to your compulsions. That state of constant stress can make you feel anxious more often than not. It can become difficult to “turn off” those thoughts, leading to other issues like sleep problems.
3. Depression
If you struggle with severe OCD, you might have trouble going through normal daily tasks because your obsessions and compulsions are so consuming. Some people have trouble even leaving the house because of those issues. If that’s the case, you might start to feel like you don’t have much quality of life. That can lead to serious feelings of sadness and depression. When you feel like there’s no way to break the cycle, those feelings of hopelessness will undoubtedly make you feel even more depressed.
4. Low Self-Esteem
OCD can make it difficult to focus or pay attention. You can become so obsessed with your thoughts and compulsions that it’s difficult to do just about anything else or focus on anyone else.
So, it’s not uncommon for people with the disorder to struggle in school, keep a steady job, or even have healthy relationships. That’s especially true when it comes to romantic relationships. If you’ve struggled in those areas, it can seriously impact your self-esteem and your sense of value. If you struggle with your self-worth, depression is likely to follow, and it’s another horrible cycle that can feel nearly impossible to escape.
What Can You Do?
The best thing you can do to treat OCD is to talk to a mental health professional. OCD is considered an anxiety disorder, and certain types of therapy can help you manage your symptoms while gaining a better understanding of your obsessive thoughts.
Medication can also help your symptoms to feel less severe. Consider talking to your doctor about your options. But if you’re interested in therapy, as well, please don’t hesitate to reach out for ocd therapy. OCD doesn’t have to take complete control of your life. With the right kind of support and a willingness to fight back against your obsessions and compulsions, you can boost your mental well-being and improve your overall quality of life.