What Do We Mean When We Say OCD is a Shape-Shifter?

Ahhhh OCD... how it likes to keep us on our toes. OCD has a reputation for being tricky, and for good reason. This blog covers everything you could possibly need to know about the ways in which OCD shifts, why it shifts and how to handle a shift. Please always know that although OCD can be difficult to handle, once you get the hang of it, you can apply what you've learned to its new manifestations. :)

So let's get going!

How OCD can be a shape-shifter.

At its core, OCD always involves the OCD loop, which involves obsessions (those unwanted, distressing thoughts or doubts) and compulsions (the behaviours or mental rituals we do to try and ease the anxiety). You can read more about the OCD Loop here.

However, one of the tricky aspects of OCD is that it doesn’t usually stay confined to one neat, little box. It often morphs and pops up in new ways, often just when we feel like we’ve started to get the hang of things! One day it’s contamination fears, another day it’s intrusive doubts about relationships, health, or morality. I often think of OCD like a game of whack-a-mole because it can feel like as soon as I manage one 'theme', another pops up. But, don't worry, with practice I've got much better at quashing new OCD manifestations - and so will you!

Why Does OCD Change?

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why can’t OCD just pick one thing to focus on and stay there?!!”, you’re not alone. It can be incredibly frustrating when it switches themes, but knowing why this happens can help take some of the mystery, and the power, out of it. Here are a few reasons:

1. OCD craves certainty

At its heart, OCD is all about trying to feel 100% sure. When one fear feels 'dealt with', OCD doesn’t just pack up and leave; it often goes hunting for the next area of uncertainty. That’s why we might notice OCD moving from germs to relationships to harm. The need for certainty is still there; it just finds a new way to get our attention!

2. Avoidance feeds the cycle

It’s really tempting to avoid whatever might trigger our OCD - even if it's not currently a concern. But avoidance can actually make OCD stronger. When we try to avoid something, it reinforces the idea that the fear is too big or dangerous to handle, and over time, this can encourage OCD to branch out into new areas. Gah, thank you, OCD!

3. Stress and life changes

Significant life events such as moving house, starting school or university, a new job, relationships, or even good changes can all be fuel for OCD. When our brain is adjusting to something new, OCD may swoop in and latch onto fresh worries.

How to Cope with OCDs Shape-Shifting Nature

So, what do we do when OCD keeps changing its disguise? The good news is, the tools for coping don’t vanish just because OCD has shifted its focus. They’re still there; we just get to practice using them in new ways. Here are a few ideas that can help:

Keep nudging against avoidance

Avoidance is like fuel for OCD. The more we steer clear of triggers, the more power OCD absorbs. Instead, try gentle, gradual exposure (ERP) taking small steps to face the fears head on. It doesn’t matter if OCD has switched from contamination worries to relationship doubts; the principle is the same. Each time we resist avoidance, we teach our brain that we can handle the discomfort.

Sprinkle in some self-compassion

It’s really easy to slip into self-blame when OCD changes shape. But OCD shifting its doesn’t indicate any sort of failure on our part; it’s simply how OCD works, and we need to be kind to ourselves here. We’re not back at square one by any stretch; we’re continuing to learn and build resilience, just in a slightly different area.

Stay flexible with treatment

OCD may shift, but the main tools such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), with or without medication, are still the gold standard treatment recommended by the NICE guidelines for OCD. It may just be the case that our approach needs a little tweaking to fit OCD's new theme. If you’re working with a therapist, keep the conversation open. Try to think of it as updating your toolkit rather than starting over.

Come back to the present

OCD loves dragging us into “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. When a new obsession arrives, try to notice it as just that: a thought, and not a certainty. Grounding ourselves in the present moment, even for a few breaths, can help cut through the noise.

But what if this isn't OCD?!

When OCD changes focus, we can often question whether what we're dealing with is actually OCD. We can think things such as 'Well, I knew that last obsession was OCD, but I'm not so sure about this!?' or 'What if I really do want to do these horrible things?!' It can help to remember that this is OCD sowing the seeds of doubt, and one of the best ways to work out whether something is OCD is the OCD loop. When OCD changes tack, the OCD loop remains. This shows that no matter the nature of the obsessions and compulsions, it is all just OCD.

Just to sum up!

Yes, OCD is a shape-shifter, but that doesn’t mean it’s unbeatable. Every time it shifts, we gain another chance to practice flexibility and compassion. OCD recovery isn’t about getting rid of every obsession forever; it’s about building the confidence and skills to handle whatever form OCD takes, and we are all absolutely capable of that! Always remember that our recovery skills are like muscles. Every time we practise using them, they get stronger and can handle heavy things more easily.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post - I really hope it's helped!

I've added some helpful links just below for you to check out.

Sending loads of love,

Catherine xx

Taming Olivia Store

If you would like to learn more about how to develop the skills mentioned in the post, please check out our bright and compassionate resources. You can practise the skills of mindfulness in our 'Introduction to Mindfulness' pack or extend that to also include developing self-compassion in our How to Show Self-Compassion Pack. 

Further Reading:

Read about whether theme is important in OCD here.

Taming Olivia Newsletter 

We send out a fun community newsletter each month which includes:

• Loads of information about upcoming, OCD community events

• A free, fun and accessible well-being pack includes ways to practice self-care and recovery skills.

• Taming Olivia updates

  
  
  
  

Come and join us in the wonderful world of Taming Olivia by signing up here.