Many of us live with some type of mental disturbance – some are just good at managing it, while for others, life is somehow difficult to bear with. The most common on the subject is obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD which affects a greater population. People with OCD have extreme obsessions and compulsions, which are primarily attributed to anxiety. The object of obsession or compulsion may vary; some people may be fixated on one thing, while others on another. Whatever that is, it is unhealthy as it affects the mental and social well-being of a person.
Perhaps you may think that this is hereditary to some degree. Yes, probably. Genetics can explain the existence of many mental disorders, and this one’s not an exception. However, being a lighter form, there are other causes that may be a bit surprising to know. Sometimes people think of those as just normal as they don’t hamper anything in their personal life. But wait for yourself until you discover how the following habits can lead to OCD:
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Perfectionism
To some degree, we all have perfectionistic tendencies. Some of us even think that this is beneficial for our productivity. But what we don’t know is that our perfectionism can result to developing unreasonable obsession and compulsion which can affect some aspects of our life.
Set yourself as an example in this context. Have you ever experienced getting too irritable because you were so obsessed with getting the best result out of the efforts that you’ve made? If that happened persistently and caused some anxiety, then that’s a proof of perfectionism taking its toll in your mind. You can destroy not just your inner peace, but also relationships if this habit is not put under control.
Inflated Responsibility
Yes, you are responsible for some things – but not for all. Remember that. Once you inflate that sense of responsibility for a thing or a person, then you’re heading right to the obsessive state where you might need to take some medications like ketamine for bipolar or OCD. You won’t like the consequences that might follow.
The anxiety level can increase to the point of you not being able to handle any task properly. You might even do things beyond your capability, and get the worst outcomes. Who’s to blame? None but yourself. Which is why being aware that you have limits is important. You are human, and it’s normal to stay within your power.
Intolerance for Uncertainty
Nothing is ever certain. When you set expectations or goals, there are possibilities that you have to get yourself ready for. If you can handle the good side, so must you with the bad outcomes. Otherwise, this inability may turn into anxiety, or worse OCD, because you can recognize the negative results but can hardly adjust yourself to that. It’s healthy than to put some balance between your efforts and expectations. And accept the truth that not everything is within your control. Live with uncertainty if you must.
Over-importance of Thoughts
When you give attention to thought more than it deserves, or unreasonably believe your own interpretation about it, then that’s how OCD can possibly develop. It is very common among obsessive and compulsive people to assume that a certain thought can influence its eventual occurrence, or that thinking of something is equivalent to actually doing it. Well, we all do that in some situations, but not to the extreme. This explains the other side of being too confident about our patterns of thinking. We can adjust once we become more self-aware, nevertheless.
Over-estimation of Threat
The idea that something bad will happen and believe that despite proof on the contrary, and it stays in your mind for a long time isn’t healthy. This is identified as one reason why OCD or ketamine bipolar depression develops. So, before that even happens to you, it is best to recognize that this is a thinking habit that should never be entertained unless there is an imminent danger present.
Otherwise, it’s just enough to think of threat as normal under reasonable circumstances. You have to stay within the level that is normal and reasonable. That’s the key.
The foregoing facts give an overview of how OCD may develop from certain unhealthy thinking habits. As far as this article is concerned, all of which can be managed by proper mind-setting and thought control. We are in control of what we entertain in our minds and the responses that we attach to them.
This reminds us of our inherent power of self-mastery as we learn new facts and gain new experiences. OCD is a condition, not a person. In other words, it is not you, but only a part of what you are. You can adjust your thinking and emotional patterns accordingly once all your weaknesses would come to light. That’s where you can make a good start.
Louie is the father behind the travel blog Browseeverywhere.com. He has a background in photography, E-commerce, and writing product reviews online at ConsumerReviews24. Traveling full time with his family was his ultimate past-time. If he’s not typing at his laptop, you can probably find him watching movies.
