Manage OCD as a Founder: Perfectionism, Checking, and When It Becomes More Than a Habit
"Why can I not stop checking, even when I know it is fine?"
Many founders pride themselves on attention to detail, and some perfectionism helps a business. But if you find yourself rereading the same email ten times, rechecking the same numbers, or caught by unwanted thoughts you cannot shake, it may be more than a work habit.
This article shares what the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is general information and not a diagnosis, and only a licensed health professional can diagnose OCD. Being careful or perfectionistic does not mean someone has OCD.
What OCD Is When You Manage OCD as a Founder
NIMH describes OCD as a long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both.
Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that make most people anxious.
NIMH gives examples such as a fear of germs or contamination, a fear of losing or misplacing things, aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself, taboo thoughts about sex, religion, or harm, and a need for symmetry or perfect order.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors, often done in response to an obsession. Examples include excessive cleaning or handwashing, arranging items in a precise way, repeatedly checking locks or appliances, compulsive counting, and silent praying or repeating words.
How to Recognize It as You Manage OCD as a Founder
According to NIMH, people with OCD generally cannot control their obsessions or compulsions even when they know they are excessive. They spend more than an hour a day on them, get no pleasure from the behaviors (though they may feel temporary relief from anxiety), and have significant problems in daily life. Some people also have tic disorders.
In a business, the signs could look like checking an order form again and again, redoing work well beyond what is needed, or struggling to finish a project because it never feels exactly right.
Distressing thoughts can also arrive during the day without any link to the work. NIMH notes that symptoms can worsen under stress, and that people may avoid situations that trigger them or use alcohol or drugs to cope. Untreated OCD can become severe.
Healthy attention to detail usually feels like a choice and ends when the task is done. OCD tends to feel driven and distressing, and it takes up significant time.
Treatment Options When You Manage OCD as a Founder
NIMH says there is no cure for OCD, though treatment helps many people, including those with severe symptoms.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP). A type of cognitive behavioral therapy that gradually exposes you to triggers while helping you refrain from your usual compulsions. Anxiety may rise at first, but compulsions usually decrease with continued treatment. NIMH says ERP works even for people who do not respond well to medication.
Medication. Antidepressants that target serotonin, especially SSRIs, are the most common choice. They can take 8 to 12 weeks to work, often need higher doses than those used for depression, and may cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, or sleep trouble. NIMH advises not stopping medication without talking to a provider.
Other options. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is FDA-approved for severe OCD that has not responded to other treatments. NIMH considers deep brain stimulation experimental for OCD.
NIMH's coping tips include keeping a consistent sleep schedule, exercising regularly, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and seeking support from trusted family and friends. A health care provider is the place to start, and they can refer you to a mental health professional experienced with OCD.
Working Gently as You Manage OCD as a Founder
Alongside professional care, a few practical thoughts may help, and you can talk them over with your provider or coach:
Set a clear "done" standard for routine tasks before you begin, so that you have a finish line.
Ask your therapist how to handle work that triggers checking, since the best approach depends on your treatment plan.
Protect your sleep, since NIMH lists a consistent sleep schedule among its tips.
Notice what stress does to your symptoms and plan lighter schedules around high-pressure weeks.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In a life-threatening situation, call 911.
In my experience as a life coach, founders who separate their healthy standards from the pressure of compulsive worry often find the business becomes easier to lead.
Having unwanted thoughts does not make you a bad person, and wanting relief does not make you weak. Support is available and treatment helps many people.
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