Another OCD Trick: Obsessing Over Decisions
Hello Everybody,
I hope this finds you all doing well and that you’re off to a great start in 2025. After taking a break from posting on my blog, I’m excited to get back on track and share more regularly.
Obsessing Over Past or Future Decisions
As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, OCD can be very sneaky, often disguising obsessions and compulsions as simply being careful or thorough. One particularly tricky way OCD manifests is through obsessing over past decisions that have already been made or future decisions yet to be finalized.
A Case Example
A recent client of mine provides a clear illustration. He became consumed with the idea that he had chosen the wrong college. This obsession led to relentless thoughts such as: “What if I made the wrong choice? I need to keep reviewing my decision to ensure I picked the right college.” The constant rumination severely impacted his academic performance, resulting in poor grades.
Eventually, he transferred to another college, but the same pattern repeated itself when he started working: “I’m not sure I’m in the right company, and I need to feel certain that I’m in the right place.” Again, he ruminated endlessly about whether his decision was correct. The distraction and lack of focus ultimately led to him being fired from his job.
In both cases, his obsession centered on the need to feel sure that he had made the right decision, and his compulsion was repeatedly reviewing the decision in search of certainty.
The Need for Certainty
At the core of most forms of OCD is a desperate search for certainty. This need can feel logical and reasonable, which is how OCD disguises itself as “helpful” or “productive.” However, when OCD is part of the equation, the rules change.
It’s a bit like the classic “carrot and donkey” story: the carrot is dangled in front of the donkey to keep it moving forward, but the setup ensures the carrot remains perpetually out of reach. Similarly, OCD tricks individuals into believing that if they just try harder, they’ll finally achieve certainty—but that feeling remains elusive.
Breaking the Cycle
The first step in breaking this cycle is recognizing the trap: the quest for certainty is an impossible one. Once clients understand this, they can begin working on resisting the compulsion to seek reassurance or review their decisions. Of course, this is easier said than done. For most people, it takes time and consistent effort to recognize OCD’s tricks and adopt new habits.
A Helpful Resource
A highly recommended book that addresses this topic is Needing to Know for Sure by Martin Seif and Sally Winston. It provides practical strategies for managing the need for certainty and can be a valuable tool for those struggling with this aspect of OCD.
If you purchase this book through this link, I receive a small portion of the purchase price, but the cost remains the same for you.
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Thank you for reading! If you have any thoughts or experiences related to this topic, feel free to share them in the comments. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with all of you.
I hope you find these tips useful and let me know if you have any questions. As always, let me know if I can be of any help and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have. This post isn’t meant as a substitute for therapy and so if you’re struggling with anxiety/OCD please consult a qualified therapist.
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Stay safe,
Dr Bob