5 Encouraging Facts About Your OCD Diagnosis

Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is challenging and can significantly disrupt your life. However, it also comes with some positives. Learn more about OCD and effective treatment.

When we think of neurodiversity, we often contextualize it narrowly, meaning we tend to concentrate on the challenges associated with a given condition rather than the unique gifts that can also accompany it.

For example, individuals on the autism spectrum are especially creative thinkers. They can approach problem-solving in a unique way and find a solution where others may not.

People living with obsessive-compulsive disorder often are impacted by intrusive and repetitive thoughts they feel compelled to act on, but what about the benefits?

The compassionate provider team at Clarity Psychiatric Care is known for looking at a diagnosis from all angles and helping people realize they can enjoy a high quality of life with an understanding of their conditions and excellent treatment.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

People living with OCD struggle with upsetting, fear-based thoughts that revolve around many things, from the house burning down and fear of illness to hurting yourself or loved ones. To bring themselves comfort, they develop rituals they perform compulsively, such as checking that the oven is turned off dozens of times before leaving the house — or even driving 50 miles back home to check it again.

Unfortunately, OCD typically becomes life-altering and can bring your normal routines and relationships to a standstill. Let’s take the example of checking if the oven is turned off. If you’re caught up in an intense cycle of checking and rechecking or other behaviors to address different compulsions like counting or rearranging objects, you can end up late for work or a date with a friend or find you’ve wasted half the day when you could have been doing something you truly enjoy.

With OCD, impossible-to-control frightening thoughts and images in your head lead to feeling anxious and afraid, while the obsessive actions you develop to cope with the obsessive thoughts don’t provide a real solution or balm for feeling unsettled.

Many people living with OCD have obsessions around self-harm or hurting those they love, germs and sickness, “taboo” ideas around sex, and losing or forgetting things. Before long, OCD can severely disrupt your life. However, with proper treatment, your symptoms can be controlled, and you can feel liberated from the OCD’s challenges.

How about OCD’s potential benefits?

Your first reaction if you live with OCD might be, “What benefits?!” For some, positives do exist, and we’ve compiled a list of five.

1. You’re more creative than the average person

People with OCD are found to be more imaginative, and even though their thoughts often center on worries and fears, this can become a real positive from a troubleshooting perspective. For example, you’re dynamite in brainstorming sessions at work or when planning events.

2. You’re laser-focused on details

Yes, you’re a relentless perfectionist, but this makes you an expert at dealing with fine detail. You’re the one everyone comes to for proofreading the presentation, lending an artistic eye to a gallery wall, or helping a friend weigh the pros and cons of a big decision.

3. You care more deeply than most

You have empathy in abundance. Your own struggles give you the unique ability to understand those of others.

4. You’re organized to a “T”

Your super organizational skills make you an asset and very productive at work, in the community, and in your family. You can more easily conceptualize a project, plan a party, or organize a trip than most.

5. You’re strong

Certain studies have shown a link between high-performing athletes and OCD. Research has even shown that a group of current and former pro tennis players who participated in a study experienced obsessive-compulsive symptoms and superstitious behaviors more than the control group, which consisted of doctors, nurses, and university students.

We understand that OCD is a life disruptor. However, treatment can bring true relief from symptoms. Just remember, though, that some individuals living with OCD don’t consider their condition 100% negative and can identify strengths it brings at times as well.

When you consult with us about OCD, we can help you find a skilled and caring therapist with expertise in treating the condition. They can share techniques to successfully cope with OCD-related anxiety and fear. We can also prescribe effective medications that address symptoms by regulating your brain chemistry.

We also discuss lifestyle changes that help tame your OCD symptoms. These include eating healthy foods for stable blood sugar, exercising regularly, creating a good nighttime routine for better sleep, and doing relaxing things, like meditating or taking a walk in the woods.