Are You Suffering From Somatic OCD? Find Out Here!

If you’ve ever heard of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you probably know it’s all about pesky thoughts and repetitive actions. About 2.5 million adults in the United States have OCD, and one less commonly known type of OCD is somatic OCD. To know more about this type of OCD, you must explore the meaning of what somatic OCD is, its symptoms, whether it is dangerous, and how it can be treated.

What is somatic OCD?

Somatic OCD is a type of OCD where people get caught up in worries about their physical health and sensations. Unlike other forms of OCD, which might focus on cleanliness or checking behaviors, somatic OCD centers around fears about one’s health. People with somatic OCD often worry about normal bodily sensations or minor symptoms, believing they indicate a serious illness.

It’s not about germs or being clean—it’s about obsessing over how your body feels or what’s going on with your health. Imagine fixating on every little ache and pain, convinced they’re signs of something really serious.

What are the symptoms of somatic OCD?

Recognizing somatic OCD symptoms can be challenging, as they often overlap with other health anxieties. Common symptoms include:

• Excessive Worry About Physical Symptoms: Individuals may obsess over normal sensations like a headache or stomach ache, thinking they are signs of a severe illness.
• Frequent Checking Behaviors: To ease their fears, they might repeatedly check their body for symptoms, such as taking their temperature or examining their skin obsessively.
• Avoidance of Certain Activities: To prevent perceived health risks, individuals may avoid activities or places they think could worsen their condition.
• Seeking Reassurance: People with somatic OCD often seek reassurance from doctors, family, or friends about their health, but their anxiety persists despite repeated reassurances.
• Preoccupation with Health Information: They may spend excessive time researching symptoms online or reading medical articles, convinced they need more information to confirm their health status.

What are the examples of somatic OCD?

Here are some examples of how somatic OCD can manifest in daily life:

1. Worrying About Your Heartbeat: You might keep checking your heart rate, worried that it’s beating too fast or too slow. Even after doctors say you’re fine, you keep monitoring it.
2. Obsessing Over Your Breathing: You could become fixated on whether you’re breathing properly. You might do breathing exercises constantly or avoid activities you think might affect your breathing.
3. Fearing Minor Symptoms: If you have a small headache or stomach ache, you might think it’s a sign of a serious illness and rush to see doctors or search online for symptoms.
4. Checking Your Body: You might frequently check your skin for unusual spots or bumps, worried they might be signs of cancer. You could spend a lot of time examining yourself or avoiding mirrors.
5. Avoiding Physical Activities: You might skip exercising or other activities because you fear they might harm your health, even though there’s no real reason to worry.
6. Searching for Health Information: You might spend a lot of time online looking up health issues, trying to find more information about your symptoms, even if your doctor has reassured you.
7. Constantly Checking Vital Signs: You might keep checking your blood pressure or temperature, anxious that any small change means something serious is wrong.
8. Repeatedly Asking for Reassurance: You might keep asking friends, family, or doctors if your symptoms are normal, even if they’ve told you before that everything is fine.

These examples show how somatic OCD can make you worry a lot about normal body sensations and health.

What about breathing and somatic OCD?

A common issue for people with somatic OCD is getting fixated on breathing. You might obsess over how you’re breathing or whether it’s normal. This can lead to:

• Constantly Checking: You could be continually checking your breath, worried it’s not right.
• Excessive Breathing Exercises: You might do a ton of breathing exercises trying to control or fix your breath.

Is somatic OCD dangerous?

While somatic OCD itself is not physically dangerous, it can significantly impact a person’s life. The constant worry about health can lead to:

• Increased Anxiety: Persistent fears about health can heighten overall anxiety, leading to chronic stress.
• Impaired Daily Functioning: Compulsive behaviors and avoidance can interfere with daily activities, affecting work, social life, and personal relationships.
• Medical Overuse: Frequent visits to healthcare providers or unnecessary tests can be costly and may increase health anxieties.
• Depression: Continuous distress from not alleviating fears can lead to feelings of helplessness and depression.

What are the available treatment options for somatic OCD?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by somatic OCD, don’t worry—there are effective treatment options available! Most treatments involve a combination of therapy and medication. Let’s break them down:

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is often considered the go-to treatment for all forms of OCD, including somatic OCD. The idea is pretty straightforward: gradually expose yourself to what triggers your anxiety—in this case, those pesky bodily sensations—while learning not to engage in compulsive behaviors.

For instance:

• Breathing Exercises: You might be encouraged to notice your breath without attempting to alter it.
• Mindfulness Techniques: Practicing mindfulness can help individuals learn to observe their thoughts and sensations without judgment.

The goal here is for you to learn that you can tolerate the anxiety associated with these sensations without giving in to compulsions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on changing those negative thought patterns that come with somatic OCD. Through CBT, you’ll learn strategies for challenging irrational beliefs about your bodily functions and reducing anxiety over time.

Medication

In some cases, medication may be prescribed alongside therapy. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used for treating OCD and may help alleviate symptoms by balancing serotonin levels in the brain. Some effective SSRIs include:

• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

These medications can provide relief from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors but should always be taken under medical supervision.

How to manage somatic OCD?

Aside from professional treatment options, there are plenty of strategies you can adopt on your own to help manage somatic OCD:

• Educate Yourself: Understanding somatic OCD helps demystify the condition and reduces fear associated with symptoms.
• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques can help ground individuals in the present moment rather than fixating on intrusive thoughts about bodily functions.
• Limit Online Research: Excessive research about symptoms online can exacerbate anxiety—a phenomenon known as cyberchondria—so it’s essential to limit this behavior.
• Stay Active: Regular physical activity can help reduce overall anxiety levels and improve mood.
• Seek Support: Joining support groups or talking with others who understand the challenges of living with somatic OCD can provide comfort and coping strategies.
• Work with Professionals: Regular sessions with mental health professionals specializing in OCD can ensure ongoing support and adjustments in treatment as needed.

Learn How to Manage & Treat Somatic OCD

Somatic OCD is a type of OCD where people worry a lot about how their body feels. They might be overly concerned about things like their heartbeat or breathing. While it’s not dangerous, it can make daily life difficult by increasing anxiety and causing unnecessary doctor visits.

There are effective ways to treat somatic OCD. Therapy like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps you face your fears without acting on them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can change negative thoughts, and medication can also help. In addition to treatment, practices like mindfulness, avoiding too much online research, staying active, and getting support can help manage symptoms and improve life.