Relationship OCD (ROCD): Let's Talk About It

When Love Becomes a Source of Anxiety

Most people experience doubts in relationships from time to time.“Is this really the right person for me?”“Do I love them enough?”“What if this doesn’t work out?”

But for those living with Relationship OCD (ROCD), these questions aren’t fleeting thoughts - they’re obsessions that feel impossible to turn off.

ROCD can turn even healthy, loving relationships into sources of fear, guilt, and relentless uncertainty. It’s a lesser-known subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — and it’s often misunderstood by those experiencing it and those around them.

Let’s break down what ROCD is, how it feels, and what you can do if you or someone you love is struggling with it.

What Is ROCD?

Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a form of OCD in which a person experiences persistent, intrusive doubts and anxieties about their romantic relationship. These thoughts are unwanted, distressing, and often go against the person’s actual feelings or values.

There are two main types of ROCD themes:

1. Doubts about the partner

   • “Do I really love them?”

   • “Are they attractive enough?”

   • “What if I’m settling?”

   
   

2. Doubts about the relationship itself

   • “What if we’re not compatible?”

   • “Shouldn’t I feel more certain?”

   • “What if this isn’t ‘true love’?”

These thoughts are not just “normal” relationship doubts. They are obsessions — intrusive, recurring thoughts that cause intense distress. In response, the person may engage in compulsions to try to find relief.

What Do ROCD Compulsions Look Like?

Compulsions are behaviours (either physical or mental) a person with OCD performs to neutralize their anxiety. In ROCD, compulsions can include:

• Repeatedly analyzing feelings (“Do I feel in love today?”)

• Seeking constant reassurance from friends, family, or the partner

• Comparing the relationship to others (“Are we as happy as they are?”)

• Googling symptoms of “falling out of love”

• Mentally reviewing the partner’s traits to find flaws or perfections

• Avoiding the partner or intimacy to "test" feelings

• Ending and restarting the relationship multiple times

These rituals may bring brief relief—but the doubts always return, creating a painful cycle.

Why ROCD Feels So Confusing

One of the hardest things about ROCD is that it attacks what you care about most—love, connection, trust. Many people with ROCD:

• Worry that something must be wrong because they don’t feel “100% certain”

• Feel ashamed or guilty for even having the thoughts

• Break off healthy relationships, hoping to escape the anxiety

• Stay stuck in relationships they want to enjoy, but feel disconnected from due to fear

The truth is: no one feels 100% certain all the time.Love is not always a feeling—it’s a choice, a practice, and sometimes, a struggle.

ROCD vs. Real Relationship Issues

Here’s a key distinction:

• In healthy doubt, you can sit with uncertainty, weigh your feelings, and make decisions calmly.

• In ROCD, the doubt is obsessive, anxiety-fueled, and disproportionate. Even when your partner is kind, loving, and compatible, your brain keeps sounding an alarm.

ROCD is not about the quality of your relationship — it’s about the nature of your thoughts.

Can ROCD Be Treated?

Yes — ROCD is highly treatable with the right approach.

The most effective treatment is:

• ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention): A form of therapy that helps you face intrusive thoughts without performing compulsions like reassurance-seeking or over-analyzing.

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Helps identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns that feed the obsession.

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Encourages making space for uncertainty without letting it control your behaviour.

• Medication: Certain medications can help reduce obsessive thinking for some people. *Consult with your doctor.

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Note: Not all therapists are trained in OCD-specific treatment, so finding an OCD-informed provider is essential.

What ROCD Feels Like (From the Inside)

“I love my partner. They’re everything I’ve ever wanted. So why do I feel so unsure all the time?”

“Sometimes I look at them and feel nothing. Then I panic. Does that mean I don’t love them anymore?”

“I can’t stop checking if I’m attracted to them. If I’m not, doesn’t that mean I’m lying to myself and them?”

These thoughts aren’t signs you’re in the wrong relationship — they’re signs of ROCD. And you’re not alone in this experience.

What If My Partner Has ROCD?

Supporting a partner with ROCD can be challenging, especially if you don’t understand what they’re going through.

Here’s how to help:

• Educate yourself about ROCD and OCD.

• Avoid giving constant reassurance—even though it feels kind, it can fuel the cycle.

• Encourage them to get specialized treatment.

• Be patient and compassionate—this is not something they’re doing on purpose.

• Take care of your own emotional boundaries too.

Final Thoughts: Love Isn’t Always Certainty — And That’s Okay

If you’re struggling with Relationship OCD, know this:

You are not broken.You are not toxic.You are not incapable of love.

Your brain is wired to seek certainty and safety—and in OCD, that wiring goes into overdrive. But with the right tools and support, it’s entirely possible to move toward a life where you can feel love without interrogation, connection without panic, and doubt without devastation.

There is nothing wrong with you.There is hope.There is help.

Resources

• International OCD Foundation – ROCD Info

• The OCD Stories – Podcast & Recovery Community

• Books:

  • “The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD” by Jon Hershfield & Tom Corboy

  • “Relationship OCD” by Sheva Rajaee

You don’t need to be sure to be in love.You need to be present, compassionate, and willing to face the discomfort.That’s real courage — and that’s what ROCD recovery is all about.