Does anybody else hate hearing people say “just sit with it” referring to the intrusive false thoughts? I know what they mean but I feel like when people say that to me it’s like they’re asking me to sit with a knife in my head. Yeah it’ll pass. Right 😑

Yeah, it's scary but it helps a lot of people

I think when people put it that way it comes across as very insensitive and ignorant of how bad the thoughts actually are. I think it’s more about learning to gradually pay less attention to the thoughts over time by sort of accepting that they come and go naturally, and when understanding the thoughts overcoming some of the anxiety by realizing that they’re purely the result of a disorder with no relevance to the real world. I think? But like it’d be nicer if people were polite and considerate about it. Maybe some people say “sit with it” and omit the complexities just because that would be a mouthful. Idk

I know it sounds cruel and impossible. I'm not saying its easy, but when it comes to intrusive thoughts the best thing you can do is acknowledge it "This is an OCD thought" Then dont engage with it. Dont try to replace it with a "good" thought. Don't try to push it out of your head. Don't try to reason, argue, or disprove it. Yes, your anxiety will go crazy for awhile. But then it will peak and decline. Every time you give into a compulsion you are telling your brain the threat is real. It responds by giving you the thought more often. Doing compulsions does relieve your anxiety, but it also makes your OCD worse. Everyone has intrusive thoughts. The real problem is the meaning we give them. Letting the thoughts be is tough, but it is the only way to break the OCD cycle. You have no control over the thoughts that come, but you DO have control over how you respond. Doing compulsions is learned behavior. You are making that choice. I know it doesn't feel like a choice, but it is. You can choose NOT to do compulsions. At first, your OCD will throw a temper tantrum, but the more you do it, the easier it gets.

Well, that’s the widely accepted solution. But no one’s forcing you to do it.

It’s like how am I supposed to sit with horrible intrusive thoughts they are by nature horrible to me in particular how am I supposed to ignore them

I think ok sit with it.. but how am I supposed to carry on the the day and complete tasks enjoy films and just live.. to me I feel like I cannot and don’t want to carry on until it’s gone