Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior at Home

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, can be debilitating.  If you suffer from OCD, you often find yourself doing specific rituals and these obsessions can make it hard for you to interact with people in public.  However, you are actually hurting yourself even more if you choose to stay home most of the time.  If you really must stay home, then this article may prove helpful to you.  Below are the tips that you can follow so that your home does not become a place where your disorder worsens.

The first thing that you need to do is to identify your obsessions.  It may be anything from an obsession with germs to an obsession with death.  When you are obsessed with something, you think about it all the time, even if you do not want to think about it.  You also need to identify your compulsions.  You have a compulsion if you feel that you must do something because of your obsessions.  For instance, you may feel like washing your hands time and again because you are obsessed with germs.  Knowing your specific obsessions and compulsions is the first step to overcoming your condition while you are at home.

You might find it easier to control yourself when you are in public than when you are at home.  This is because you may find it embarrassing to give in to your obsessions and your compulsions when other people are watching.  That alone should prove to you that you can control your behavior.  Inviting friends into your home more often could prove to be helpful.  When you often have visitors at home who may be watching you, you will be less likely to give in to your obsessions and compulsions.  Eventually, this will reprogram your brain to perceive your home as a place where giving in to your compulsion is not acceptable.

You can also use a stopwatch to effectively overcome OCD while you are at home.  Each time you catch yourself obsessing about something, start the watch, and when you regain control, stop timing.  Do this throughout the day.  At the end of the day, check your total time.  You may be surprised to find out how much time you have been wasting.  Keep track of your progress and remember that you waste precious time whenever you begin to obsess.  You can do more enjoyable and productive things with your time. 

If you have OCD and you stay home most of the time, you may be hurting yourself.  You are more likely to give in to your obsession and your compulsion because nobody is watching.  So the next time you choose to stay home, remember to follow the simple tips discussed in this article to prevent your condition from worsening.