When Doubt Takes Control | Understanding Checking OCD and How to Break the Cycle.
Checking OCD is a frequent type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in which the person addicted to it has an overpowering need to check things over and over again just to make sure that they are not harmed or no mistakes are made. Checking locks, switches, appliances, emails, documents, and even one's own memory can be involved. While it is sometimes reasonable to double-check, Checking OCD changes doubt into a major source of anxiety that interferes with daily life activities. People with Checking OCD are usually concerned with the fear of responsibility, the idea that if they do not check "just one more time" it could lead to something disastrous. The questions "What if I left the door unlocked?" or "What if I made a serious mistake?" cause extreme mental discomfort. To relieve this anxiety, people check everything over and over again, however, the relief is very brief. Before long, doubt comes back, thus the cycle starts again. Common Symptoms of C...