How To Write an OCD Character

First of all, personally, I think that it’s always important to read the definition of something before you actually start writing it. By doing this, you are showing some potential and commitment in researching for your story.  So keep in mind, it is appreciated when the author does some actual looking into the facts to know what they’re talking about.

For now, however, I’ll be showing you my research results.

Obsessive-Compulsion Disorder:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, images, and sensations (obsessions) and engage in behaviors or mental acts in response to these thoughts or obsessions.

Often the person carries out the behaviors to reduce the impact or get rid of the obsessive thoughts, but this only brings temporary relief. Not performing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety.

 A person’s level of OCD can be anywhere from mild to severe, but if left untreated, it can limit his or her ability to function at work or school or even to lead a comfortable existence at home or around others.

~psychologytoday.com(Their Post On Anxiety)

One thing you should understand about this definition is the fact that this disorder IS caused BY ANXIETY. What does this mean? Well, this means that the character you’re giving this disorder too, you are also giving them anxiety, because OCD doesn’t come just by itself.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety, or extreme apprehension and worry, is a normal reaction to stressful situations. But in some cases, it becomes excessive and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations.

~PsychologyToday.com

(Their Post on Anxiety)

Ok, so we have the definitions of OCD and Anxiety. I will write up a post some other time going through how to write anxiety, but for now, we’re all here for OCD character traits and things of the sort, so we’ll continue with the discussion of OCD.

Well, the first thing to kick this off would be to list out things OCDs typically do.

OCD behaviors and habits:

• Double Checking things are in order
• Re-doing tasks
• Bacterial fear
• Cleaning
• Hoarding
• Symmetrical needs
• Arrangement needs (colors need to be the same, something is out of place and needs to be fixed, etc.)
• Severe Anxiety (as stated and will be repeated)
• Overthinking
• Worry (A LOT)
• Putting themselves back into the loop of obsessive thinking due to the anxiety of not doing it right
• Loss of behavior and thinking habits
• Overthinking

(NOTE: all of the behaviors of OCDs is to lessen all of the anxiety they feel. So cleaning, hoarding, bacterial fear, re-doing tasks, double checking, symmetrical needs, arrangement needs, etc., are all for them to feel safer in a world they feel like they have no control over. This means that your character is typically going to feel helpless most of the time and will begin to be triggered by things and begin doing some of the things listed above)

Still following? Good. This is a lot of information, so keep up the attention span! :3

Ok, another thing you should know is that your character doesn’t have to have all of the previously mentioned symptoms. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if someone even has OCD or anxiety because of how well they hide it or how less severe they have it compared to others. needless to say, moreover, is the fact remains the same. Your character still has it.

Remember, this character also has anxiety, hopelessness, and other issues, so not having this so severe isn’t a bad thing. Just keep in mind when you’re writing them, they have what you gave them.

Also, getting help, admitting they have a problem, etc. can also be apart of your character’s CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Of course, this also includes that your character could develop this along with the course of your story, so it depends on how you go about it all.

Hope this helped!!! :3

~Rey Brooks