Just Right OCD Symptoms
Just Right or Perfectionism OCD is a sub-types of OCD that is characterized by obsessions that something is not “right”. Intrusive thoughts may be present around organization and symmetry. A persons “just right” OCD might lead to uncomfortable feelings or fixations on certain things until it is just right. Just right feelings might lead to discomfort in the body. Doubt is present in this sub-type that would lead a person to engage in a compulsive behavior. Engaging in the compulsion can reduce the anxiety and provide the short term relief. A person is more likely to seek that short term relief with the compulsion, and look to reinforce the OCD cycle, keeping them stuck. Obsessions of Just right OCD might include the need for things to look, feel, or sound in that “just right way”. Just right behaviors have the potential to take up a great deal of time, limiting the functioning of the person struggling with this sub-type.
Triggers of Just Right OCD:
Touch: After touching something, a person might feel an urge or sensation to touch it again. To touch it in that “just right way” in order to move on.
Sight: A person may see something that is uneven or unbalanced. A behavior may follow to “fix” that object until it looks “just right”.
Sound: A person might feel that sound or note felt “off” and that they should play it or hear it again until it feels “just right”.
Communication: How a person speaks can be done in a just right way. A person might feel the urge to plan out their sentences or speak in a way only if it feels “just right”. There might be repetition or avoidance of speaking until it feels “just right”.
Just Right Compulsions:
Repeating/redoing certain actions/activities until they feel “right”.
Rewriting/retyping.
Rereading.
Perfectionist behavior.
Repeating oneself to speak at the “right” volume, tone or pace.
Asking others to repeat what they have said until it sounds “right”.
Repositioning items so that they are facing the “right” way.
Touching items until it feels “right” to stop.
Positioning my body in a way that feels “right”.
Standing up and attempting to sit back down “correctly”.
Entering and exiting rooms until it feels “right”.
Flipping light switches, resetting alarms, putting the tv back on, restarting the computer to turn them off the “right” way.
Replaying a video or song until it sounds “right” and/or ends at the “right” time.
Counting rituals.
Avoidance of tasks that will provoke the urge to engage in redoing actions.
Reassurance seeking behaviors.
Treatment for Just Right OCD:
Treatment for this sub-type of OCD, like all forms of OCD is the gold standard of treatment, exposure and response prevention (ERP). Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) looks at the idea that triggering situations and thoughts are at the core of OCD. Ongoing exposure to these triggers without engagement in rituals can reduce the severity felt. As a licensed mental health therapist trained in ERP, I will assist you through the exposures and how to implement effective response prevention measures. If you feel that OCD has had a negative impact on your life, you might consider counseling and ERP to learn how to handle it more effectively. Please feel free to reach out for a free consultation, where we can discuss impacts of OCD and benefits of counseling/ERP.
