Some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) feel the need to repeatedly check if they locked the door, windows, car, or check a variety of other things like plug sockets, cookers, and hundreds of other things. Why does this happen? We'll explore that in this video.
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Why does the thought come back?
05:10 Tolerating uncertainty
06:32 When do I need to seek help?
10:00 How do we measure OCD?
11:30 What are my options for getting help?
17:32 OCD and memory
20:16 Common types of checking
27:28 Summary
Checking is a symptom of OCD but it isn't OCD itself. Someone struggling with OCD typically has an intrusive thought such as "I may get burgled" and therefore feel the need to repeatedly check the door.
The chances are that most of us cannot remember locking the door this morning. But we're comfortable with being 99% sure we did. Someone with OCD typically cannot tolerate anything less than being 100% because the consequences of being wrong seem so bad.
Unfortunately, while engaging in the checking behaviour makes us feel better in the short-term, we soon go back to 99% certain and therefore have to check again. This can cause a significant impact on our quality of life if we are spending a significant amount of time engaging in the behaviour (sometimes hours) resulting in us missing appointments, being late for work or having less free time.
The good news is that this means OCD is not a memory disorder: there is nothing wrong with our memory. The problem is maladaptive thoughts and these can be addressed through psychotherapies such as Exposure & Response Prevention.