Just Right OCD/Perfectionism
What is Just Right/Perfectionism OCD?
Just right OCD is where a person has a heightened sense that something is wrong, incomplete, or just not quite right. Individuals suffering from “Just Right” OCD often feel the need for things to feel or be “Just Right” in their lives before they can move on with their day/life. Their OCD can start to tell them that in order for something to be done, it needs to feel just right. Otherwise, if it doesn’t feel just right, it is not complete, or something bad will happen.
Some people never know when they will be triggered or for how long they will be stuck until they achieve the “right” feeling. Some find that transitions such as moving from one place to the next or from one task to the next evokes this sensation.
Common Obsessions (fears and doubts with sensations)
- Sight: Something not looking “right” (not facing the right direction, not spaced the right way, not replaced in the correct spot)
- Sound: Something not sounding “right” (too loud/soft, squeaky doors or hinges, loud chewing or slurping, sirens, crying)
- Touch: Something not feeling “right” (sitting down, walking, textures, clothing tags, heat/cold, combing hair, brushing teeth, bodily sensations)
Common Obsessions (OCD & Perfectionism)
- The feeling you have forgotten something
- Fear of not saying the perfect word or perfectly explaining
- Fear of missing details
- Worrying that things are not completed correctly
- Fear that something bad will happen
Common Compulsions (safety behaviors)
- Repositioning items so that they are facing the “right” way
- Touching items until it feels “right” to stop
- Walking past mirrors numerous times
- Standing up and attempting to sit back down “correctly”
- Entering and exiting rooms until it feels “right” Repeating/redoing certain actions/activities until they feel “right”
- Rereading/ Rewriting
- Repeating oneself to speak at the “right” volume, tone, pace, etc.
- Asking others to repeat what they have said until it sounds “right”
- Lining items up in the “correct” order
- Avoidance of tasks that will provoke the urge to engage in redoing actions
- Reassurance seeking and asking for others’ feedback about whether something looked, sounded, felt, and/or was done “correctly” or “right”