"It was Mentally Painful to Try and Stop": Design Opportunities for Just-in-Time Interventions for People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Real World

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that significantly impacts people's quality of life. While evidence-based therapies such as exposure and response prevention (ERP) can be effective, managing OCD symptoms in everyday life -- an essential part of treatment and independent living -- remains challenging due to fear confrontation and lack of appropriate support. To better understand the challenges and needs in OCD self-management, we conducted interviews with 10 participants with diverse OCD conditions and seven therapists specializing in OCD treatment. Through these interviews, we explored the characteristics of participants' triggers and how they shaped their compulsions, and uncovered key coping strategies across different stages of OCD episodes. Our findings highlight critical gaps between OCD self-management needs and currently available support. Building on these insights, we propose design opportunities for just-in-time self-management technologies for OCD, including personalized symptom tracking, just-in-time interventions, and support for OCD-specific privacy and social needs -- through technology and beyond.