- Date posted
- 3y
- Date posted
- 3y
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.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 3y
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
- Date posted
- 3y
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!
- Date posted
- 3y
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
- Date posted
- 20w
I'm really struggling to figure out where my OCD ends and where I begin. I’m scared of most things—not in a panicky way, but in a deep, cautious, worst-case-scenario kind of way. Example: I haaaaaaaaate my spectacles. I’d love to do Lasik, or even just wear contacts, but the idea terrifies me. I’ve heard about the tiniest risk of blindness or infection, and once that thought is in my head, it takes over. I picture the worst, and then I don’t act. TRIGGER Also Lasik involves cutting TRIGGER which petrifies me. I’m stuck between wanting change and being too afraid to make it. The same goes with wanting to travel but being scared I'll be trafficked or someone will plant something in my bag & I'll get arrested overseas. No amount of praying will fix it. Does anyone else feel like their OCD makes them freeze in everyday decisions? Like you can’t tell if you're just being practical or if it's the OCD gripping the steering wheel again? Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's not OCD but my personality, that's what I'm trying to figure out.
- Date posted
- 19w
Hey guys just wondering if anyone suffers from this type of OCD. I feel a big struggle to even begin things because it doesn’t feel right or if I resume things it doesn’t feel right. Anyone have any advice ? Thank you
- Date posted
- 18w
I never heard about people with OCD who have messy living conditions. Maybe this is why it took so long to accept my diagnosis. Although I really dont like how OCD is percieved at by the majority of people, I feel like Im weird or something because I dont fit into that stereotype. I understand that a lot of people with OCD have this issue, but why do I feel so different? If anybody else has/had this belief, what helps with feeling more comfortable? Everytime my mom points out my room, and how its messy- Its like I feel so lazy and useless. So then I often plan out everything I was going to do, step by step, always having a reasoning behind everything, because logic always comforts me. When I start tidying up my room, I go full out (Sheets, Laundry, Clorox, Candles, Vaccuming, Then I start going through the guinea pigs cage to rearranging all of their stuff) Yet always somewhere after doing a few things, I start feeling disgusting and almost shameful of myself. 99% of the time I end up laying on my floor sobbing, noting every little thing about my room. How my furiniture doesnt match, how i would rather have solid floor like hardwood or vinyl instead of the carpet, usually things i cant change… and then barely anything gets done in my room. I start to have a meltdown and often dont take care of myself even more afterwards. A piece of me feels like my thoughts are just me being a spoiled brat and wanting everything i dont have- meanwhile others dont even have a roof over their head. The other piece of me is just tired, just emotionally exaughsted. Please comment any thoughts or recomendations to maybe improve motovation and attitude towards doing long tasks.
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