Grief and OCD: Here's what we need to know
From being stuck in the cycle of thought to making ourselves responsible for the loss, here are a few things that OCD can do to grief.
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Grief goes through five stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. For people with OCD, grief can be far more challenging. "Grief can be uniquely challenging as obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors may intensify the emotions. Individuals with OCD might find themselves ruminating excessively on the deceased person or dwelling on perceived past mistakes and missed opportunities. The constant need for reassurance, ritualistic behaviors, and avoidance strategies may escalate, hindering the natural progression through the stages of grief. The persistent doubts and fears inherent in OCD can magnify the already complex emotions associated with loss," wrote Therapist Maythal Eshaghian.(Unsplash)
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We constantly keep contemplating what we could have done differently to save the situation, the vicious cycle of thought also makes us blame ourselves. (Unsplash)
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Intrusive images of the deceased or of the situation that has caused us grief can make us feel disturbed and suffocated. (Unsplash)
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We also keep swelling on the perceived mistakes and start to engage in behavioural patterns that may have the intention of punishing ourselves. (Unsplash)
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