OCD in High-Performing Professionals: When Success Masks Struggle

Perfectionism OCD

Compulsive over-editing, refining, or second-guessing.
You can’t “let it go” until it feels just right, but it never really does.

Responsibility OCD

Feeling responsible for every outcome, every person, every potential mistake.
You carry the world… and it’s crushing you.

Moral Scrupulosity

Endless internal audits: Did I say the right thing? Am I ethical enough? Did I offend someone?
A constant loop of guilt, fear, and self-correction.

Productivity OCD

You equate your worth with your output.
Rest feels unsafe. Downtime brings guilt.
You plan, tweak, and optimize, but never feel done.

“Just Right” OCD

Emails. Presentations. Conversations. If it doesn’t feel perfect, you redo it.
Not out of pride, but out of compulsion.

Reassurance-Seeking OCD

You ask for feedback not because you need help… but because you need relief.
You need to know you didn’t mess it up.