Symmetry Symptoms In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Fears Or Obsessions About Symmetry:
Just Right or Perfectionism OCD is a sub-types of OCD that is characterized by ongoing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors around organization, perfection and making things feel “just right.”. Intrusive thoughts may be present around organization and symmetry. A persons “just right” OCD might lead to uncomfortable feelings or fixation on certain things until it is just right. Distress may occur with objects if the person is obsessing over the object not being balanced or even. Distress may occur physically in ones body such as feeling that their feet needed to hit the ground the same way as they walk. Obsessions with symmetry are excessive and past the average behavior of symmetry that a person might prefer. Such as preferring my desk to be organized as I work compared to it “having” to be perfectly organized. And if it is not, then high distress follows. The urge to correct or balance because of the need for symmetry can be overwhelming. Things might not need to be perfectly symmetrical, rather it might based on a more just right feeling.
Common obsessions with Symmetry related OCD:
Feeling the need to match sensations or actions on one side of the body with the same sensations or actions on the other side.
Feeling the need to arrange objects in a way that is very ordered, sometimes symmetrical in a literal sense.
Feeling the need to arrange items on a desk in a specific, orderly way.
Feeling the need to walk in a way that feels perfectly balanced.
Obsessions may be triggered by external factors such as seeing objects that are not arranged symmetrically. Internal triggers can occur when one has a feeling of needing walk a certain way that feels just right or even.
Common compulsions with Symmetry related OCD:
Arrangement of objects until they are symmetrical.
Mentally measuring or checking to see if things are even.
Rumination-dwelling over causes and consequences of things.
Making things feel balanced in their body-walking a certain way. Stepping a certain way.
Walking in such a way that both feet feel the same.
A Just Right physical behavior- any behavior a person does with the pressure that is needs to be done “Just right”
Treatment for Symmetry related 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.
