People suffering from psychological disorders have long been marginalized in society, enduring stigma and discrimination that eroded their fundamental rights, such as the right to vote. This marginalization has highlighted the lack of mental health perspectives in political discourse. However, this is changing due to research revealing the impact of specific psychological conditions on political behavior. For instance, studies indicate that radicalization, marked by the use of violence for political change, may be linked to psychological patterns akin to those in obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), driven by an "obsessive passion". This insight reveals a complex relationship between mental health and political engagement, challenging old misconceptions and potentially altering societal views on psychopathology and civic participation. Therefore, there’s an argument to be made about how psychopathologies play a determinant role on the individual’s political decision-making at the ballot box.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder consists of repetitive acts or thoughts that a person cannot control, signifying a condition of heightened stress. Those with OCD tend to exhibit ritualistic behaviors to alleviate this stress, which can be triggered by various everyday situations. In stressful scenarios like elections, characterized by significant polarization and intense debates, and concerns about the country's future governance, individuals in society may experience immense stress. A recent study found that people reduce stress by turning to technology and researching politics, seeking more information about the political situation. An example of this, according to the same study, occurred in the 2016 United States elections, which were reported as stressful by the general population. They could only alleviate their stress through research about the candidates. This behavior can be seen as a compulsion that lessens anxiety and stress, similar to patterns in OCD. It's a way of coping with the uncertainty and public pressure in politics during this period, and the information-seeking can be viewed as intrusive political-focused thoughts associated with ritualistic behaviors, offering momentary relief. This is one way OCD symptoms relate to politics, proving their influence in the political context.

Personal accounts of people with OCD highlight the potential disruptive and debilitating nature of the disorder. One such account relates how significant changes in her life triggered a sense of threat and intensified the symptoms that lead to a deep increase in stress. Transposing this perspective to the electoral scenario, where populations face possible deep changes and transitions, this equates to a potential significant shift in the daily lives of all society members. In fact, the effects on the mental state ‘of the elections and election results have been the target of several studies. For example, a 2008 one study on U.S. presidential elections found different cortisol (stress) levels differ according to election results. Another study confirms that “elections are exciting, yet stressful events” to the population. More recently, a paper on the 2020 U.S. presidential elections found them “traumatic” for voters. In this context, it appears to be self-evident the possible nefarious effects that elections and the election period has not only on people in general, but more specifically to those more mentally vulnerable, like people with OCD.

According to Gallup, an American analytics and advisory company, the number of the people on the left and or on the right are virtually the same, with the outliers describing themselves as “independents”. Considering our argument as valid, this data suggests that a significant portion of people with OCD are already voting right or leaning in that particular direction. Likewise, a portion of the independents - and even from the left - might eventually turn to the right-wing, influenced OCD dispositions. That is, according to the precautionary model, people with OCD lean more to the right as a way of coping with perceived threats and enhance their sense of security. This inclination is partly driven by the heightened stress associated with OCD. People with this disorder commonly exhibit significant concerns over safety and order, attributes that are also characteristic of right-wing supporters. The alignment with right-wing ideologies occurs as conservative political stances often provide assurances on these fronts, offering a strong, albeit temporary, relief of OCD symptoms. Therefore, there is a notable correlation between OCD and a preference for right-wing ideologies, with OCD symptoms being more prevalent among those who lean to the right. This relationship is underpinned by the way conservative policies address the deep-seated needs for security and stability, such as, for example, Trump’s wall over a perceived immigrant threat or André Ventura’s claims that “thousands of people from the Middle East represent a security risk”. These policies, such as strict immigration and national security investment relieve the insecurities faced daily by people with OCD. Thus, for these individuals, right-wing policies function analogously to their personal precautions, playing a significant role in reducing their perception of daily threats.

Given these insights, it's evident that mental health, with a particular focus on OCD, profoundly affects emotional states and thus shapes individual political preferences. This establishes a notable connection between mental health and political behaviour. The implication here is that if the symptoms of OCD were effectively managed, individuals with this condition could have the freedom to consider a wider array of political options. While the preference for right-wing politics in itself is not inherently negative, and indeed, political pluralism is crucial for the good health of any liberal democracy, recognizing and addressing the stress and anxiety faced by individuals with OCD in making their political choices poses a significant, long-standing challenge.

The intertwining of mental health and political preferences, particularly concerning obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), presents a multifaceted narrative. Conservative policies often provide effective responses to security concerns, thereby managing perceived threats, highlighting a broader issue that appeals to OCD apprehensions In this regard, mental health plays a pivotal but frequently overlooked role in shaping political preferences, a topic that remains underexplored in existing literature. Such an approach could potentially construct a more inclusive political landscape for people with OCD, who often seek assurance right-wing dominated topics like security. Consequently, there is a pressing need for more inclusive public policies across the political spectrum that accommodate the needs of individuals with OCD. These policies should aim to provide emotional support, mitigate excessive stress, and enhance political engagement. The goal would be to ensure that all manner of people, including people with OCD are not restricted to aligning with a specific ideology as a form of relief but have the opportunity to broaden their political perspective beyond a singular political focus.