The Link Between Symptoms Of Social Anxiety & OCD

We all fear public embarrassment. And all of us have also had some instances of public embarrassment in our lives that still flash before our eyes from time to time. No matter how long ago the incident happened. Every time we think of it, it is still as humiliating as it was when it happened. Even though we are now aware that those things don’t matter anymore. The problem arises when these feelings become chronic. And they keep you from doing the things you want or are required to do. For instance, sharing your thoughts in a group setting, giving a presentation, or heading out to a big event.

A Quick Guide

There is always that fear that lurks beneath our calm facade that we are going to do something to make a fool of ourselves in from of everyone. In this scenario, it is obvious that excessive social anxiety and persistently unsettling thoughts are related. When you experience intrusive thoughts, images, or desires, you may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which you can alleviate by frequently performing certain actions that temporarily improve your mood. Even though you often are aware that your fear of being judged by others is unreasonable, individuals with a social anxiety disorder (SAD) may completely avoid social situations. Social OCD refers to the overlapping symptoms of OCD and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Let us try to understand both these terms further along with their symptoms. 

Understanding OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness marked by a compulsive urge to carry out particular rituals or think specific thoughts. OCD is a chronic illness that can have an impact on every aspect of a person’s everyday life. It could disrupt a person’s social life, romantic relationships, and more.

Two major requirements must be satisfied, under the DSM-5-TR, in order for you to be diagnosed with OCD:

• You have recurring, enduring obsessions and compulsions.
• These compulsions and obsessions consume more than an hour of your daily schedule or significantly bother you, which results in impairment or incapacity to work.

Understanding social anxiety Disorder

The DSM-5-TR has the following criteria for a social anxiety diagnosis:

• Fear that reoccurs in the same social contexts.
• It is impossible for an illness, injury, or drug usage to account for these symptoms.
• Persistent concern that you’ll be ashamed or humiliated in front of others if they notice you have social anxiety symptoms. It could also be a fear of making a mistake and offending people.
• Significant anxiety about going to social gatherings where you can be subject to criticism and judgment from others.
• Tendency to stay out of social situations or to react with extreme anxiety when confronted with them.
• The minimum duration of these symptoms is six months, however, they frequently linger longer.
• There is no other anxiety condition or mental health issue that can account for these symptoms.
• Your ability to perform at your job, school, and in relationships is impaired by your fear of social situations.
• Your anxiety about these interpersonal encounters is out of proportion to the danger you are in.
• Your dread is unrelated to or impaired by any injury, illness, or condition that you currently have.

OCD & Social Anxiety Disorder

Obsessions are uncontrollable thoughts that OCD patients strive to manage through behaviors and routines. Persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts are common in OCD patients. They are frequently followed by an urgent desire to take some action, such as washing their hands or checking on something.

Fear of being scrutinized in public in a way that will make one feel rejected or humiliated is a defining feature of social anxiety disorder. Extreme shyness and aversion to social situations are possible symptoms of SAD. If you have social anxiety, social encounters, in general, may cause discomfort or panic attacks, or you may have a particular social situation—like performing in front of an audience—that makes you feel fearful or anxious. As it has a greater impact on their daily life, people with broad social anxiety are more likely to seek counseling than those with specific performance worries.

Social anxiety and OCD: Are they separate diagnoses?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder are chronic diseases that may have crippling effects. They are two distinct diagnoses. Though it is conceivable for OCD and social anxiety symptoms to coexist. You would then have to contend with two different conditions. In fact, research indicates that social anxiety disorder co-occurs most frequently with OCD in people. But it’s also feasible for someone with OCD to have persistent obsessions about social rejection without being diagnosed with social anxiety.

You would need to satisfy the diagnostic requirements for both conditions in order to be given both diagnoses. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), a reference manual used by the majority of mental health practitioners in the United States, establishes the diagnostic criteria.

What are the social signs and symptoms of OCD?

OCD often manifests in daily life as intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Rituals can momentarily ease the tremendous anxiety that most patients experience because of their continuous thoughts.

Even if they are not concerned with concealing their symptoms from others, people with OCD frequently have difficulty in social situations. Because of the condition’s close ties to sadness and anxiety, social interaction can be challenging. OCD may manifest in social settings through one or more of the following symptoms:

• Abrupt, unexplained abandonment of close friends or relatives
• Being absent or being late to social events for unknown reasons.
• Being too worn out to socialize.
• Persistent anxiety that others are angry with them.
• Rage or outbursts when rituals are disturbed.
• Rigid standards for family and friends.
• Unfounded concerns regarding their relations.

Impact Of OCD On Family Life

OCD is most likely to have an impact on family connections because people spend the majority of their time with them. Family life is frequently delayed and disrupted by OCD rituals, which can breed animosity on both sides. This is particularly true if the family member has developed a ritual, such as the OCD person repeatedly pulling their sibling’s hair. A person with OCD may become upset when their rituals are disrupted. Or they can become clingy and worried as a result of intrusive beliefs that they are unloved, which can generate a lot of social conflicts.

Both parties must be understanding if family relationships are to remain positive. Family members should refrain from enabling OCD patients by giving them the time and space they need to deal with their condition. In addition, OCD patients need to work on receiving therapy and refrain from including others in their rituals and worries. It is typically a good idea for all family members to participate in family therapy for the best results.

Impact Of OCD On Friendships

OCD can make it so difficult to establish acquaintances that many persons with the disorder experience social isolation. Simply getting to know people and becoming friends is the first challenge. It is quite challenging to open up to others when unwanted ideas are there like

• “everyone hates you“
• “you’re talking in a funny voice“.

It could be simpler to avoid people if you are embarrassed about your OCD than to put yourself in circumstances where you might exhibit symptoms. OCD symptoms might sometimes make it difficult to keep up with friends. People with OCD could be too exhausted from rituals to help friends, as their rituals might take up most of their free time. This may eventually lead to friendships fading.

When you have OCD, it can be very difficult to make and keep friends. But it can also be very gratifying. The depression that is so prevalent in OCD can be avoided by being able to establish intimate social ties. Therapy can assist those who suffer from OCD in controlling their symptoms and developing the confidence to interact with others rather than withdrawing. Informing friends of the social difficulties associated with OCD can make them more accepting of the possibility that your friendship with them will alter.

Effects of OCD on Dating

OCD can have an impact on looking for a life mate as well. Are you sure this person is the one?-type intrusive thoughts can be difficult for those with OCD. Or “Should you continue dating them despite the fact that you detest their habit of biting their nails?”. Simply put, the stigma associated with OCD makes dating while having OCD difficult. Many people struggle with when to tell their partners they have OCD. Mentioning it right away could make potential partners concentrate more on stereotypes than their own nature. The person may feel misled if you wait till you know them better. Experts typically advise being open and honest about how your OCD affects you.

The Impact of OCD on School Social Interaction

Students who attend school have the chance to build social and academic abilities that will serve them well throughout their lives. OCD symptoms may prevent a student from forming social relationships.

• A kid who exhibits compulsive behavior can be labeled as odd or ridiculed as crazy. That could cause shame or added stress.
• A student might cut ties with former acquaintances in order to avoid having to defend unusual behavior. Or because obsessions and compulsions take up so much time, the child may not have enough time to interact with friends and family.
• Depression poses a serious risk to people who withdraw and feel excluded from their peers.
• Failure in class can have an impact on friendships. Occasionally it can cause friends to exclude the student from their social circle.
• If stopped, students who conceal their compulsions may grow irritated and engage in a heated exchange of words that could result in unfavorable labeling.
• Some children have compulsions that annoy or offend other children, which can result in bullying, exclusion, and yelling outbursts.
• Students may think they are the only people on earth who might have such thoughts or the need to repeat particular behaviors.
• When a student is the target of rumors, slurs, or whispering campaigns, the stigma of mental illness can have a significant impact on them.

Effects of Peer Pressure

• Even for someone who is effective in hiding their compulsions, the pressure to fit in can make life challenging.
  • Because of the need to avoid contamination, which could prevent participation in contact sports, students frequently spend less time engaging in social activities. Additionally, they are concerned that taking part in extracurricular activities will take away from the time they feel is necessary for their compulsions.
  • People who are too worn out to engage in social activities are those whose obsessions and compulsions have physically and mentally depleted them.
  • The amount of time spent ritualizing outside of school leaves little to no time for socializing with friends, family, or other people.
  • Since they are aware that their rituals may seem strange to others. They may choose to withdraw from their classmates in order to avoid social rejection, embarrassment, or bullying.

We hope you found this article helpful in learning more about the link between the symptoms of social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD.