can researching be an obsession?
Lately I've been obsessed with researching and reading everything about OCD as I can. I've been fixated on finding physical books, printing out studies, taking the Y-BOCS, anything I can find or get my hands on. Could researching be an obsession or something? I don't know if I'm feeding into it or if this is completely different.
It’s a compulsion not an obsession because you’re using it to try to solve an intrusive thought
It’s a compulsion or seeking reassurance.
Yes, this is definitely a compulsion. I have done this as well, and currently have to work really hard to not research the crap out of OCD and buy books, listen to podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. all the time. I know it’s uncomfortable, but try to stop engaging in this. By continuing to research, you’re teaching your mind that anything you feel anxious, you are going to need more information about your disorder to feel better. I know it sucks, because knowing more about ourselves and our disorder can be very empowering, but notice where your desire is coming from. If it’s coming from a place of anxiety “I need to know this info in order to get better” then it’s very much compulsive.
Well said! I needed to hear that as I sit here and think about researching tummy trouble symptoms. It’s like w health ocd, next symptom in line… take a number and you’re up next!!!! Ooooof. So darn tired of the vicious cycle of worry and fear!!!
@vgb Totally. The internet can be our best friend and worst enemy when it comes to OCD and seeking reassurance! I’m sorry you’re experiencing the vicious cycle too. ❤️
So short answer is yes
I think it’s a better ‘compulsion’ because researching OCD can really help you and all the ocd experts like Jenna example, they create all OCD content to help us heal and learn to live with our OCD. It really depends on how you are using the content about OCD that’s out there to be honest . If you are using it to try and reassure yourself that other people have the same thoughts as your circumstance and your constantly comparing than that is a reassurance , you haven’t got the benefits from the content and you will make your ocd worse even if it gives you temporary relief. However , if you listen to the advice , read up on why people develop ocd so you can gain a real understanding on how it works and how to heal, without trying to overanalyse and reassure yourself through the content , then no I don’t think it’s a compulsion I think it’s really helped many people ( I need to apply my own advice because I still reassurance seek but I’m starting to understand the consequences of this much better )
It depends. If you’re researching to relieve distress, you may be performing a compulsion. For my health ocd, I will research because I’m nervous about having health issues—this is a compulsion. However, many people with adhd and autism will fixate on topics they want to learn about and it becomes their main source of dopamine. I have been obsessed with skateboarding lately in a good way. But I don’t research skateboarding because of uncertainty. Ask yourself, is there something I’m uncertain about or uncomfortable about that is making me want to research? And that will give you your answer. Some people have meta ocd which is ocd about having or potentially not having ocd, so they will research to make sure they have it—that can be considered a compulsion
reading your experiences gives me a hint of what ocd looks like. While it does help me understand my symptoms more, it also makes me feel weird. an odd feeling, i'd say it's fear. I am indeed ''obsessed'' by not having the same symptoms as people w diagnosed OCD, thus meaning i dont have it (i dont have a diagnosis yet). Could this be some kind of theme? A symptom of OCD?
After an incident last week that led to a panic attack, my OCD has become increasingly focused on the fear of having more. All my thoughts are focused on checking to make sure I’m not exhibiting panic attack symptoms, which leads me to start to panic, which leads to racing thoughts and physical symptoms, which leads to another attack. It’s a vicious cycle of not wanting to have another attack like this, but my brain is so focused on the concept that it’s all-consuming. I’m trying to treat this like any other OCD theme, but it’s just so hard. I don’t know if anyone else has experienced something like this before, but I’d love to hear from anyone willing to share.
When I start to feel anxious/get sticky thoughts/get paranoid I watch videos online about OCD and others that struggle with OCD. Is this a form of a compulsion? If so, what can I do to stop doing this?
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