“Compulsions are a lousy solution to the problem of having obsessions.” Fred Penzel
Some of you don’t know just how true this quote is! I was explaining OCD to a group of student workers in my office the other day, and here’s what I had to say about compulsions:
They start as a way to provide temporary relief to the stress/terror/anxiety/disturbing nature of obsessions, but after a while, the compulsions get out of control and become monsters themselves.
For example, maybe an OC will worry that a room is contaminated and therefore, she is going to get sick herself and die. So she washes her hands to forestall any illness, and for a moment, it relieves that anxiety. But after awhile, she is washing her hands all the time to try to keep that anxiety at bay, and now her hands are bleached, raw, bleeding and she can’t stop.
Which is worse– the obsession or the compulsion? I know different OCs have different answers. I’d like to hear yours!
JACKIE LEA SOMMERS 
Hmmm, what a great, thought provoking post. I would say that the obsessions for me are worse than the compulsions, since I mainly have Pure-O. Although, I do have bouts of checking, which I would say the compulsion is worse than the obsession when it comes to that.
I agree with you, Lolly — as a Pure-O, I think the obsessions are way worse!
Wow, what a great question. I think my answer would depend on the day. Compulsions are exhausting and frustrating. Obsessions are agonizing and terrorizing. I guess I have to go with obsessions, because that is where all the fear lives.
By the way, I was looking at your profile and noticed that your OCD is in remission. I would love to hear sometime about how you got to that point and what remission looks like for you. Thanks!
Jackie–My compulsions are most painful. With compulsions, I’ve wasted time, money, disinfectant, items I’ve thrown out, etc. The worse of those is the waste of time. Can’t get that back.
So interesting, Tina! My obsessions were by far more painful than my compulsions. But that’s probably because I’m Pure-O!