Reassurance

One way to recognize OCD is to look for excessive efforts to get reassurance. This can take many forms, and in my experience often comes up as questions asked to a spouse. "Did you check the locks on the door?" "I'm feeling a little ill, do you think I have lupus?" A recent interview with Dr. Wayne Goodman correctly suggests that the best way a spouse can respond to such questions, in cases of OCD, is to try to avoid providing that reassurance that only strengthens the compulsive tendency. Sometimes arguments over such requests for reassurance can become problematic for couples. In that case, consultation with an OCD specialist is appropriate.

Is your therapy actually helping?

A previous posting on this blog discussed the recent controversy over "effective" psychotherapy. A more recent article in the LA Times outlines the two sides of the debate. Regardless of what you think about this controversy, one important message to take away is that it's important to consider whether your therapy is helpful. That may sound obvious, but whatever the reasons you sought therapy to begin with, it can be helpful to periodically ask yourself whether you feel that things are tangibly changing for you. If not, have a frank discussion with your therapist -- a good therapist will share your desire for tangible meaningful change, and would welcome such a discussion.