Does OCD cause me to feel no emotions?
Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
– Written by
Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.
– Updated on June 5, 2026
Question
Dr. Schwartz, I’m 25 and found out two years ago that I’ve been OCD (to my knowledge) since my late teens. I have a lot of obsessions, almost no compulsions to balance, and for the longest time I shut myself away from everything.
Flash forward. I’m on Lexapro, it works well, and I’ve managed to get most everything I had back. Except my ability to feel. I used to think it was a separate issue, but recently read somewhere that lack of emotion is a symptom of OCD as well.
It’s strange. I rarely smile or cry, and when I do, it’s not for genuine reasons. I try to make myself love, but it’s not the same when you do it because you think you should. I don’t remember what it feels like (except in dreams) but I remember enough to know it felt good and something good is missing. Just your opinion… OCD related or not?
My doctor has said that it’s also a side effect of medication, but the disattachment is there regardless of if I’m on something or not. Are there recommended actions for this type of thing? I already know that trying to force it doesn’t work.
Thanks.
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Answer
I “hear what you are saying.” There are two important words that come to mind as I read your question. One of them is alexithymia and the other is anhedonia. Alexithymia refers to the inability to be aware of or able to describe one’s feelings. Anhedonia is the loss of feeling of pleasure and the withdrawal from pleasurable activities. I believe that you are experiencing anhedonia and here is why.
You are already diagnosed with OCD. While OCD is an anxiety disorder it is also associated with feelings of depression. In other words I believe that you are depressed and have been for a long time, even before the OCD was diagnosed.
While it is true that Lexapro will help you with both depression and anxiety it is not enough. Your medication treatment should supplemented with psychotherapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is especially effective with OCD because it is used to block those thoughts. For those who also have compulsions, the behavioral part of therapy blocks the repetitive actions.
One of the important features of depression and anxiety are the types of thoughts we give ourselves. Those thought are unrealistic, at least to a large degree. CBT helps people learn new, healthier and more realistic ways of thinking and, thus, do not lead down the road to anxiety and depression.
I want to urge you to see a therapist who is trained and skillful in the use of CBT in addition to continuing your Lexapro medication. In these ways you should be able to recapture your feelings again.
Best of Luck
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MentalHealth.com is a health technology company dedicated to guiding people toward self-understanding and human connection. We provide reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities that educate, support, and empower people throughout their mental health journey.
Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a somatic psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and neuropsychology.
Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. is a medical writer with more than 30 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He writes on a wide range of mental health topics, including mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, stress, and relationship challenges.
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Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
– Written by
Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.
– Updated on June 5, 2026
Additional Reading
The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.
MentalHealth.com is a health technology company dedicated to guiding people toward self-understanding and human connection. We provide reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities that educate, support, and empower people throughout their mental health journey.