When A Person With OCD Falls In Love

Though manifesting signs of obsession, I don't really consider myself as a control freak. It is my habit to organize, take notes, and prepare cue cards (which is usually part of work or school tasks). I also see to it that I've read every Facebook notification. Though some of my friends consider me as being Obsessive-Compulsive, I've seen and worked with people who do more constant checking on things and are severely afraid to miss out. In short, I'm really trying to rationalize my behavior here. Masyado bang defensive? Hehe.

At work, a newbie was shadowing or observing how I go through the process. Afterward, she funnily commented that I have OCD judging from the sequence I follow and how I notate. Told her that my simple techniques may help her perform more efficiently and breeze through the tasks. Again, we are justified. ;-)

Simply put, a website describes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) this way:

"People with OCD feel they are at the mercy of unwanted and intrusive worries (obsessions). They often fear great harm will come to them or others, frequently as a result of their carelessness or mistakes in judgment. Examples of such painful obsessions are worries about picking up life-threatening germs, or about forgetting to turn off a stove that endangered others...

People with obsessions often devise elaborate and painful rituals (compulsions), which can provide temporary relief for their worries. Examples of compulsions include constant washing of one’s hands to get rid of germs and frequent checking and rechecking to see if the stove is turned off. Unfortunately individuals soon feel enslaved to these time consuming and elaborate compulsions."

Now I want to focus on the therapy which is about facing and challenging our fears and anxieties. It helps to ask ourselves "So what if I just let it pass?" or say "Maybe if I just take the time to relax and give myself a break, it will be worth it." Interestingly, the older you get, the more you learn to let go.

While the goal is freedom from worry, I consider worry as inevitable and a part of being human - We care, show concern to our loved ones, and make plans to lessen if not eliminate harm. But the amount of worrying matters. We should know when we've already done our part and learn to always trust God.

Since we're at it, loving someone entails fears. Big or small, there are a number of things that we may be afraid of happening when we care for a special person. But as in the movie No Strings Attached, "The world can take it." Love and get hurt... Just take the plunge.