Please note: The information on this page should not be construed as medical advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any condition. The content on this page is written by recovered OCD sufferers, not by clinicians. Read More
OCD after a breakup
9 Techniques to Manage OCD After a Breakup
Anyone who has ever experienced the pain of a broken heart knows that recovering from a breakup is typically not an easy task – especially when you suffer from OCD. Therefore, it’s essential to learn practical coping skills as you want to live a fulfilling and meaningful life, whether you are in or out of a relationship.
When OCD Is In the Driver’s Seat
Combining feelings of loss with intrusive thoughts can make the healing process feel impossible. For example, if you can’t stop replaying the breakup in your head, or you keep calling them to reconcile. It might feel like you are spiraling out of control. Therefore, here are some coping techniques to get yourself back on track.
1. Give yourself time to grieve.
It is natural to feel sadness and loss after a breakup, and it may take time for you to come to terms with what has happened. So, allow yourself the time and space to grieve in your own way and at your own pace. You don’t have to put a timeline on it, but you want to face the grief to move forward.
2. Find some healthy distractions.
Permitting yourself some time to focus elsewhere doesn’t mean escaping but instead temporarily diverting your attention from the breakup. So, try finding an activity that might help you feel more balanced and whole again—for example, going to the gym, walking, hiking, gardening, reading, or taking a ride. Find what best suits you.
3. Seek professional help.
Sometimes we can’t always go it alone, so if you feel stuck or can’t cope with the loss, it may be time to seek professional help. A therapist can provide support and guidance and teach you proper coping techniques as you work through your thoughts and feelings.
4. Connect with friends and family.
Isolating oneself and having too much time to ponder the breakup can wreak havoc. Therefore, being with friends and family can be a source of comfort and distract you from overthinking. Hopefully, it will cheer you up in the meantime.
If you don’t have friends and family, try seeking a support group. There are plenty of online and in-person peer-led support groups, therapist-run support groups, and online forums.
5. Express your feelings.
It can be tempting to bottle up your feelings when you are struggling; however, this is not healthy nor sustainable in the long run. Therefore, it is essential to find positive ways to express your thoughts and emotions—for instance, expressive art therapy, journaling, or writing an angry letter and ripping it up afterward. Allowing yourself a healthy outlet can help reduce the intensity of these emotions over time.
6. Acceptance without judgment.
One treatment approach for handling difficult emotions includes recognizing what you have control over while practicing acceptance of things that may not align or resonate with you. It is about allowing yourself some time to feel these complicated emotions without judgment, but what we don’t want to do is get stuck in it. So, once you’ve given yourself some time to reflect, find something that has brought you out of the funk before, whether it’s a walk, a cup of tea, calling a friend, etc.
7. Finding your purpose and identity.
Often in relationships, we get so caught up in it that we don’t know who we are once it ends. Therefore, it’s essential to try not to lose yourself in the process of any relationship.
As tough as your breakup may have been, this might be the ideal time to seek inner meaning, purpose, and an identity. So, how do you do that? Visualize when you were a child and tried to find your niche – whether bowling, swimming, dance, board games, etc. It’s no different as an adult – try out various things until you find a sense of inner meaning and purpose and can call your own, such as volunteering, photography, or taking a course in school.
8. Practicing self-care.
We live in a hurried and fast-paced world, but self-care is necessary to maintain one’s mental health – especially after a breakup. So, take that bubble or lavender bath, manicure your nails, try a yoga class, or watch a good TV series.
Self-care means practicing it consistently in or outside of a relationship. Utilizing these skills proves to yourself that you’re worthy and deserve it.
A Road to Recovery
It may take some time to heal from a breakup, but it is possible between the right support, proper treatment, and allowing yourself grace to feel your emotions, whether anger, fear, or abandonment. Just remember to take care of yourself first and foremost.
If you need some support on your recovery journey, you are always welcome to join our OCD community. We have a wealth of information and support available to you. By entering our discussion forum, you can connect with others who understand what you are going through. You can also find helpful tips and advice from people who have been where you are now.
You are not alone in this fight. You can overcome your OCD and live a happy and fulfilling life with the proper treatment. Find Support Groups for OCD Near You | ocdtalk.com
I hope this article provided you with some helpful information on treating OCD and violent thoughts. If you have any questions or would like to share your experience with us, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
I’ve been struggling with OCD for as long as I can remember. After a long CBT course, exposure therapy, mindfulness meditation, and many self-help books. I can say that I’ve started to understand how my mind works. It’s not always easy, but it gets much easier when I learn about OCD and its triggers, symptoms, and behaviors meant to ease the intrusive thought. I want to contribute to this community by sharing what I’ve learned. Read my OCD story.
I recently broke up with my long-term partner, and now I find myself in a dark place. My anxiety has worsened, and I don’t feel whole anymore. I understand it is for good because we realized we were not compatible. Nevertheless, I miss the comfort of having her in my life. Maybe hearing that someone with OCD who has gone through the same will make me feel better.
First, it’s a good sign that you understand that you were not compatible and decided to end it. You have to accept that you will feel empty for a while, but eventually, you will move on. Changing the environment and starting new hobbies will ease up the process. Also, more therapy sessions will improve your OCD symptoms too. You got it mate
What helped me before was changing my habits and lifestyle so that nothing reminds me of the past moments. I also remember spending significant time at the gym. Eventually, you will meet new people who might make you feel better too.
Thanks, buddies. I am already kind of better than a few days ago, but obviously, it will take some time. I like the idea of changing my habits and eliminating most things that remind me of this person. That would be difficult as we were together for a long time, but I will figure it out.
Hey Ben, I am sorry to hear about your breakup. I am happy that you are willing to continue with your life and discover new things you like. May I know what type of OCD you suffer from? Maybe then I can give you more specific advice for coping with it.