This is just my opinion, but I’m starting to think ocd is a symptom if a much deeper issue within us. Whenever I seem to do erp, if I do happen to do it correctly and the fear goes down, it’s just a matter of time before it switches to something else again. Does anyone else think this too?

Typically there’s always something else that accompanies ocd like low self esteem or ptsd. Ive has emotional trauma and neglect at a young age and I feel like it contributed to ocd or may have even caused it. I wasn’t born with perfectionism, I learned it as a coping mechanism like spacecowboy said. That way I can feel in control.

I experience the same phenomenon; my OCD always re-emerges around a new set of issues, although my pure O OCD has never gone away. Some of my newer OCD subtypes come and go with exposure, but my deepest, darkest intrusive thoughts always remain. I think there is more than just OCD at play. I think it's a lack of self-esteem, a rough childhood, and honestly not knowing what my values are. That's what they always say, right, to make values based decisions instead of decisions based out of anxiety and fear. But if you don't know what your values are, then at best you come up with superficial band-aid solutions.

I don't know if its the same for everyone, but thats true for me. I started to develop ocd as a sort of twisted coping mechanism for some other stuff in my life, so I think it cam be true for some people.

Why would that mean there’s a much deeper issue?

I actually agree with this, but it is probably different for everyone. What truly helped me was resolving my trauma and learning to cope with my feelings. When I solely focus on getting ERP, I easily get rid of one intrusive thoughts, but another, unrelated one emerges. For example, I might confront my fear of dying, but then get fear of sex, then fear of torture etc. I believe that if this is the case, we might have comorbid disorders. I have been diagnosed with OCD comorbid with MDD and GAD.