Have you ever had a small idea, a possibility, a "maybe" turn into something that felt emotionally real long before there was any evidence that it would actually happen? When it didn't work out, did the devastation feel wildly out of proportion to what actually occurred? If so, this may not be about being naive or idealistic. For some people, this pattern is shaped by how OCD relates to uncertainty, imagination, and emotional regulation. OCD is often misunderstood as a disorder of intrusive...

The dog rescue worker brought out the puppy that ended up being my dog son, followed by his brother and rotated the two of them multiple times before I announced that I was stuck in indecision because I loved them both so much. When she reflected to me that it was clear to her based on my mannerisms and emotional expression that I liked one more than the other, I was truly astounded. How did this person know how I was feeling better than I did? Did it make sense to outsource to an objective...

How low compassionate empathy can set the stage for moral OCD Most of us assume (and are taught) that caring about other people is a feeling, a warm, emotional pull that says, “Go comfort them. Go help. Go be there." We learn that good people are caring people, and to care means to be distressed enough by someone else's distress that you feel compelled to take action to alleviate it if you can. But that isn’t how everyone’s mind works, and if that's surprising to you, it's likely not because...