OCD & Checking: Part 2 (Mental Checking)

On May 4, 2012, in Checking-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Behavioral Checking (Overt Checking)

Many examples of compulsive checking rituals in OCD involve direct inspection of a target stimulus by sight, sound, or feel.

Common OCD checking behaviors include relocking doors, visually examining the position of one’s parking brake, or holding one’s hands above stove burners in order to detect warmth.

Behavioral checking is often …  (read more)

13 Comments

Checking & OCD: Part 1 (Checking for Safety)

On April 17, 2012, in Checking-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Compulsive checking often begins innocently enough. One check here, two checks there…

But OCD’s greed knows no bounds.

What starts out as a simple check “just to make sure” eventually spirals into disabling OCD doubt that can come to predominate innumerable situations and scenarios.

Checking behaviors often emerge in situations in which “being irresponsible” might …  (read more)

6 Comments

Hit-and-Run OCD

On February 18, 2012, in Checking-Related Symptoms, Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

“Hit and run” OCD involves the fear of accidentally hitting a pedestrian while driving.  In most cases of hit-and-run obsessive-compulsive disorder, fears focus on unintentionally killing, injuring, or maiming a victim.  Other individuals worry about causing car accidents or causing other vehicles to swerve and hit pedestrians.

Fear of Driving

Hit-and-run OCD, or motor …  (read more)

42 Comments

Perfectionism in OCD: When the pursuit of success turns toxic

On July 25, 2011, in OCD, Perfectionism, Perfectionism, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

There is more than one type of perfectionist.

First, there is the adaptive perfectionist.  This perfectionist is the prototypical workaholic student/employee who goes above and beyond expectations.  This person is intelligent, hard-working, dependable, and passionate about meeting or beating deadlines.  He or she sets high personal standards of performance and has an attention to detail that is appreciated …  (read more)

22 Comments

Go To Top »
WordPress Themes