Stuck in my head: How OCD and Limerence feed each other

I didn’t realize how much OCD and limerence could overlap until I found myself caught in the crossfire. OCD had me stuck in endless loops of intrusive thoughts and rituals, but then limerence added this intense, all-consuming fixation on a person — like my mind just swapped one obsession for another. It wasn’t just daydreaming about someone I liked; it was this constant emotional rollercoaster, craving their attention, overanalyzing every interaction, and feeling that crushing fear of rejection.

I’ve tried a mix of approaches — cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has helped me challenge those obsessive thought patterns, and I’ve learned that mindfulness can ground me when my brain feels like it’s spiraling. I also read that for some people, medication like SSRIs can be a game changer for calming both OCD and the emotional intensity of limerence. It’s a lot to navigate, but knowing the connection between these two has made me feel less alone.