'I couldn't leave the house, I worried I'd cheat': The rise of relationship OCD

Sophia, a 24-year-old content creator and waitress from Leeds, has been in a loving relationship for over a year but struggles with relationship OCD (ROCD). She worries constantly about her compatibility with her boyfriend, whether she truly loves him, and what she might do if she doesn't. Sophia says she couldn't even leave the house because of her fears of cheating on her boyfriend.

At her worst, she couldn't go to work and spent days in bed, asking Chat GPT for reassurance. ROCD is a severe form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that involves persistent intrusive doubts and compulsive behaviors, causing significant distress and anxiety. It's often misunderstood as normal relationship doubts, but it significantly impacts daily life and well-being.

Experts say it's not recorded separately in the UK, making it hard to determine its prevalence. However, awareness through social media and research is driving more people to seek help. Relationship OCD typically falls into two categories: relationship-centred, where one doubts their feelings, and partner-focused, where the focus is on a partner's flaws.

Life transitions, such as moving in together or getting married, often trigger ROCD. While some people may be more vulnerable due to past experiences or perfectionism, social media and its romanticization of love can also exacerbate the condition. Gracie, another 24-year-old mental health charity worker from Bristol, shares a similar experience.

She has been living with ROCD for seven years and finds common sayings about finding "the one" overwhelming. Both Sophia and Gracie have tried various medications and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to manage their symptoms but also learned about the condition through online research and watching YouTube videos. They emphasize the importance of speaking to a GP about the impact of intrusive thoughts and avoiding testing partners or relying on social media for reassurance.