How can you maintain improvement?
First, it is important to recognise that you will need to remain alert for some while. It is easy slip back into old, bad habits. One ritual does not mean you are back to square one, but it is something to be tackled straight away, before it leads to more rituals. Make sure you do not slip back into avoidance of difficult things either. Make yourself confront these fears, without rituals, and see how they diminish. A good rule to be kept is, "If it frightens you, to.
Second, we know that obsessional problems are usually worse within you are under any kind of stress. You need to be more alert at these times, and you may need to learn better ways of coping with the particular things you find stressful. Your therapist can help you with this.
Finally, remember that if you have a full and satisfying life, the obsessions are less likely to trouble you. You may also find that when the obsessional problems have decreased you are left with a lot more spare time. Try to find things that you enjoy to fill this time; going out with family or friends, going back to work, hobbies, evening classes, etc. Use the time you now have available.
