Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder’s Impact on Partner Relationships: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

There is need for more knowledge concerning couple relationships and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this study, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder were interviewed in focus groups concerning how their illness influences relationship with their partner. The interviews were analyzed phenomenological. The results show that obsessive-compulsive disorder can cause mental and physical distance, the patient can feel monitored and pathologized by the partner’s accommodation and support, and the patient can monitor that the partner follows the rituals. The disturbed power balance can last even in periods with low symptom level. Power-related aspects should be emphasized in couple therapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

KEYWORDS:

• Distance
• focus groups
• label of disease
• Norway
• Norwegian
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• power imbalance
• relationships

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Terje Tilden, PhD, family therapist and assisting head of Modum Bad Research Institute, Norway, for his invaluable sharing of knowledge from the family therapy research field.