Psychiatr. praxi. 2024;25(1):7-14 | DOI: 10.36290/psy.2024.001

Relationship-related obsessive-compulsive disorder

prof. MUDr. Ján Praško, CSc.1–5, PhDr. Marie Ocisková, Ph.D.1, 2, 5, MUDr. Kamila Bělohradová1, MUDr. Lucie Bundárová1, MUDr. Jakub Vaněk1, doc. PhDr. Miloš Šlepecký, CSc.3
1 Klinika psychiatrie, Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
2 Jessenia, a. s. - Rehabilitační nemocnice Beroun, AKESO holding, Beroun
3 Katedra psychologických vied, Fakulta sociálnych vied a zdravotníctva, Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa v Nitre, Slovenská republika
4 Katedra psychoterapie, IPVZ Praha
5 Mindwalk, s. r. o., Praha

Relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (R-OCD) is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that manifests in constant doubts and anxieties about an intimate relationship. People with R-OCD suffer from intrusive thoughts about whether they have the right feelings for their partner, whether their partner loves them, whether the relationship is suitable or whether their partner has any flaws. These thoughts trigger the urge to perform various rituals to alleviate anxiety, such as repeated checking, reassurance or comparison. However, this behaviour leads to disruption of the relationship and long-term maintenance of the anxiety. This paper described characteristics of R-OCD and offers basic cognitive-behavioural strategies that help the patients to change their attitude towards the obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviour.

Keywords: relational OCD, cognitive-behavioural therapy, obsession, compulsion, relationships.

Accepted: March 25, 2024; Published: March 28, 2024  Show citation

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Praško J, Ocisková M, Bělohradová K, Bundárová L, Vaněk J, Šlepecký M. Relationship-related obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatr. praxi. 2024;25(1):7-14. doi: 10.36290/psy.2024.001.
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