- Username
- LR237787
- Date posted
- 3y ago
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- Username
- mysterydragonmysterydragon
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I have perfectionism OCD as well. What helps me is trying not to avoid it because that could be a compulsion. Just attempting to do it is an accomplishment even if you try to delay the compulsion to constantly fix things so they feel right. I have to try delaying fixing all the things that feel wrong to me. Sometimes I fall for it but I try to pick myself up and don't beat myself up for it. We are in this together you got this.
- Username
- Jenna OverbaughJenna Overbaugh
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 3y ago
There are lots of great books out there on this topic! Many people struggle with this theme. I would encourage you to go to IOCDF.org and you'll find some great resources there for perfectionism OCD. I would encourage you to find ways to reduce our rituals rather than resisting completely since you're saying that "just doing it" is too hard. What rituals are you doing? What are some ways that you can reduce these rituals? Can you put a time frame on certain things and start at this particular time vs waiting? Can you just do the first step of cooking, cleaning, or exercising rather than doing the entire process? Eg for instance you can just get dressed for exercise and just focus on this part of the process rather than focusing on the entire thing. Also if you're worried about doing something perfectly - eg having the perfect workout or having the perfect meal - make the intention to do it wrong. Do it as wrong as you can with the intention of flustering your OCDs feathers. Youve got this
- Username
- LR237787LR237787
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Thanks for the support! My big safety behavior in this case is compulsive avoidance, like I can’t get myself to cook or clean or exercise at all, so not many rituals there. I like the idea of just doing the first step, though, I’ll try it!
- Username
- AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Thanks for sharing your current experience. I would say that you should be very proud of yourself for 1st noticing the anxiety, distress, and discomfort and letting those feelings of anxiety, fear, etc. be there.This is a perfect time to as I like to say "practice" ERP. Practice not analyzing any of those points you mentioned and place your attention on this present moment. Feel your feet on the ground, take a deep breathe, go for a walk, read, go hangout with a close companion, or play a sport. Not avoiding the discomfort, but choosing to do things you want to do and not give any attention to dwelling on that.The most important part being the response prevention. Not easy, but part of the work. When this type of situation occurs and we are in environments in which we are organically exposed to distress, use this as an opportunity to practice doing the work! This allows for two things; showing yourself you can handle and tolerate it, and also letting your body know that although you feel uncomfortable you are willing to keep doing whatever it is you are doing and getting on with your day! This is the foundation!
Related posts
- Username
- mark1991
- Date posted
- 6y ago
My therapist brought up the concept of perfectionism. I never had considered this in my ocd but wow was he right. I see it as I reflect. I thought I was strictly pure o (HOCD, SOCD). What’s everyone know about the manifestation of perfectionism in OCD?
- Username
- Linds1985
- Date posted
- 1y ago
OCD tendencies?!
I'm 37, been diagnosed with depression and anxiety since I was 16. I've thought for a few years now that I may have some ocd tendencies. But I feel like they are getting worse. I clean, every single day. I have to vacuum 2-3 times a day or I cannot relax. I have to vacuum every morning, or I can't concentrate on work, I vacuum later in the day, then again before bed to help me relax. I can't skip a day...if I do it nags at me. I'm also a perfectionist?!? I get highly irritated if things are out of order, or my house is chaotic. Sit on the furniture wrong and squash my pillow? My anxiety or irritation spikes until the person gets up and I can go fix that space. I also obsess over things, and seek answers/validation from others. When I tried leaving my job for another, I talked to anyone that would listen. Obsessing for weeks and weeks wondering if I was making the right choice, looking for someone to answer me. I could NOT think of anything else. I'm assuming this is ruminating? Now, most recently, I've been having awful intrusive thoughts. Every single night. Mostly about loved ones dying, and how will I go on. I work myself up, have anxiety attacks and cry. ...this makes sense as to why I feel the need to constantly clean or be doing something, so I don't have to think these thoughts. In my head if I can just make it to morning, nothing bad will happen during the day. I'm ferried my phone will go off at night with bad news. It's making it hard to sleep, I don't want to relax because my mind drifts to these intrusive thoughts. I don't know...no one had diagnosed me, but I feel like some signs are there. I feel like I'm slowly going crazy...and I'm so very tired of it.
- Username
- Ocdlife123
- Date posted
- 1y ago
Please help or advice
Everytime i listen to someones harm ocd story they always say they would avoid knifes or avoid driving or avoid being around certain people/places objects to MAKE SURE this intrusive obsession does not happen! I don’t avoid!! I still have to be around my animal, i still cook with knifes even though it really feels like im about to do it! I still keep the things in my house that im thinking of using for harm ( objects ect) I really dont understand why im not avoiding these things to make sure it doesn’t happen if i get the feeling or truly believe i could do it im about to do it! Please advice i just feel like i must deep down want to do it if im not preventing it from happening in anyway! I feel like i have no compulsions so this cant be ocd
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