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Grief and OCD: Here's what we need to know

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

From being stuck in the cycle of thought to making ourselves responsible for the loss, here are a few things that OCD can do to grief.

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Grief goes through five stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. For people with OCD, grief can be far more challenging. "Grief can be uniquely challenging as obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors may intensify the emotions. Individuals with OCD might find themselves ruminating excessively on the deceased person or dwelling on perceived past mistakes and missed opportunities. The constant need for reassurance, ritualistic behaviors, and avoidance strategies may escalate, hindering the natural progression through the stages of grief. The persistent doubts and fears inherent in OCD can magnify the already complex emotions associated with loss," wrote Therapist Maythal Eshaghian.(Unsplash)

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

Grief goes through five stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. For people with OCD, grief can be far more challenging. "Grief can be uniquely challenging as obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors may intensify the emotions. Individuals with OCD might find themselves ruminating excessively on the deceased person or dwelling on perceived past mistakes and missed opportunities. The constant need for reassurance, ritualistic behaviors, and avoidance strategies may escalate, hindering the natural progression through the stages of grief. The persistent doubts and fears inherent in OCD can magnify the already complex emotions associated with loss," wrote Therapist Maythal Eshaghian.(Unsplash)

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We constantly keep contemplating what we could have done differently to save the situation, the vicious cycle of thought also makes us blame ourselves. (Unsplash)

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

We constantly keep contemplating what we could have done differently to save the situation, the vicious cycle of thought also makes us blame ourselves. (Unsplash)

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Intrusive images of the deceased or of the situation that has caused us grief can make us feel disturbed and suffocated. (Unsplash)

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

Intrusive images of the deceased or of the situation that has caused us grief can make us feel disturbed and suffocated. (Unsplash)

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We also keep swelling on the perceived mistakes and start to engage in behavioural patterns that may have the intention of punishing ourselves. (Unsplash)

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

We also keep swelling on the perceived mistakes and start to engage in behavioural patterns that may have the intention of punishing ourselves. (Unsplash)

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We get so obsessed with the thought of making ourselves responsible for the loss, that we are unable to come out of that cycle of thought. (Unsplash)

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

We get so obsessed with the thought of making ourselves responsible for the loss, that we are unable to come out of that cycle of thought. (Unsplash)

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We also attempt to undo the past wrongdoings with the intention of making the situation better. Reviewing past actions and avoiding reminders of the loss are some of the behavioural patterns.  (Unsplash)

Published on Jan 23, 2024 12:27 PM IST

We also attempt to undo the past wrongdoings with the intention of making the situation better. Reviewing past actions and avoiding reminders of the loss are some of the behavioural patterns. (Unsplash)

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