Although there’s no question that love is the most beautiful feeling in the entire Multiverse, the bitter truth is that it can also bring a lot of suffering and pain. Or, to be more precise, the doubt, jealousy, and problems that come along many relationships are the factors that cause those awful feelings.
Relationship OCD, which is abbreviated as ROCD, is a peculiar condition that shouldn’t be underestimated. It is described as that situation of the person who’s in love with someone and is consumed with hunches, worries, and doubts. The one suffering from ROCD can question their partner’s implication in the relationship, as well as their true feelings.
However, each person suffering from ROCD may develop different symptoms, which means that it’s pretty hard to say for sure if the condition exists for a specific individual or not. However, Dr. Jordan Levy, a psychologist in private practice in Manhattan who works at the Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy and in Livingston (New Jersey), shares a list of common symptoms and behaviors that a person suffering from ROCD might have, as the Made of Millions publication (madeofmillions.com) reveals. He published the symptoms in the form of relatively simple questions. Here’s what he suggests, by paraphrasing his words:
- You must see if you feel more attracted to other people than to your partner. For instance, you may feel more attracted to friends, strangers, celebrities, or exes.
- You must acknowledge if you constantly dwell over the physical imperfections of your partner. For instance, you might feel unsatisfied with the eyebrows or nose of your partner.
- You must realize if you’re constantly picking at the personality of your partner. For instance, you may feel like your partner is boring or the jokes she/he makes are too corny.
- You must realize if you avoid dates simply because you believe that no one is good enough for you.
- You have to admit if you’re too focused on the flaws of your partner or on what seems to be missing from your relationship to the point that you can’t take the next step in the relationship itself.
- You have to realize if you constantly have the hunch that you might have gotten yourself a better life partner.
- You might be engaged in many attempts to figure out just how in love you are with your life partner. For instance, you might ask yourself why you don’t miss her/him more.
- You might look for reassurance by comparing your relationship to others. You might feel like the relationships of others are better than yours.
- You might be looking for constant reassurance that you have made the right choice when making a girlfriend/boyfriend.
- You need to check if you like to compare your relationship to another previous one that was fun and exciting while also often unhealthy.
- You need to admit if you avoid watching specific movies or TV shows that might revive uncomfortable thoughts and anxiety when it comes to your own relationship.
- You need to admit that you often look for answers online or not.
- Sexual activity might be seen as a chore and an unpleasant experience. For instance, you might not be as implicated in your intercourse as you would wish.
Feel free to reflect carefully on the possible signs revealed by Dr. Levy that you might suffer from ROCD. However, he makes it clear that the checklist is not intended to play the role of a diagnosis received from a qualified licensed psychologist.
