Managing your stress levels and lifestyle can play an essential part in dealing with OCD but the difficult times that we are now living through have made it a lot harder. Restrictions on what we can do, news reports about COVID-19, and anxiety about our health and that of our loved ones have all taken a toll.
Stress is a common trigger for OCD symptoms. Many people find that their symptoms get worse or more difficult to manage when they are feeling worried or upset about something. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many difficult emotions that have persisted for a long time. Many of us have been feeling anxious, uncertain about the future, or stressed about changes to our finances or personal situations. For those of us who are affected by OCD, this stress can exacerbate our symptoms.
When you are stressed, you may find that your OCD symptoms occur more often or seem more intense. You might spend more time managing irrational fears, intrusive thoughts, or compulsive behaviours. You may also notice new thought patterns, anxieties or behaviours that you haven’t experienced before. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might notice symptoms that are linked to your experiences of lockdown or to the news coverage you have seen.
Stress doesn’t cause OCD, but for those of us who are affected by this condition, it can trigger or worsen symptoms. Reducing stress in our lives and finding ways of coping with it can play an important part in managing OCD. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has given us an additional source of anxiety, we can still use the same techniques to manage our stress levels and deal with OCD.