- Date posted
- 3y
- Date posted
- 3y
Absolutely! My attachment style is avoidant and dismissive. It took a LOT of work to rearrange the neural connectivity in my brain due to my attachment style, but I've made a lot of progress. The good news is that our brains have a lot of plasticity which means that we can change our behaviors over time. I want to warn you that it takes a very long time. You will have a lot of slip ups into old habits. Maybe you like to run away, or be defensive, or maybe you cling. Whenever these emotions pop up, your job is to realize that they surfaced and to see what triggered it. The trigger is always going to be an unmet need that you had as a young person or child. Attachment styles definitely fuel rocd. For me, it made me want to flee or to judge my partner. This made the rocd much worse because deep inside, I was very hurt and wounded from my childhood. I'm really glad that you're taking this on. It's a very difficult task but it is well worth it. If you need a peer supporter, I'm here. Good luck :) Here is an article I like to read to remind me of some of the things I just mentioned: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.mindbodygreen.com/articles/understanding-attachment-theory-and-how-styles-form-in-childhood#cobssid=s
- Date posted
- 3y
An amazing book is called “Attached” by Dr. Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
- Date posted
- 3y
There is also a woman on Instagram called Charisse Cook, I think that’s how you spell her name and she makes videos on the anxious/avoidant dance.
- Date posted
- 3y
Thank you all! I will read/watch all of that! I hope it will help me!!
Related posts
- Date posted
- 21w
I’ve been seeing tons and tons of videos about avoidant attachments on TikTok a lot! And lieterally all day I was overthinking and crying. I’m not sure if I have avoidance attachment I never got deeper into the meaning of it until yesterday and I’ve seen so many comments about it. I’m starting to think what if I’m one? Is I am how do I change? I fear relationships, I am very independent and will only ask for help if needed. This God at my job likes me and I like the way he acts and he wants a relationship which I’ve already made a few post about him. When we went to church the second time I held his hands and hugged him but I still doubted his looks . He’s not ugly but I don’t think he’s my type so I apologized for holding his hands because I don’t want to lead him on. I have prayed multiple prayers if he’s the one for me. After seeing those avoidant attachment videos I’m afraid I act this way toward the guy that likes me. Then when I ask myself “well do you like him” I get filled with anxiety. I’m not rushing in a relationship but I want to love someone not just someone loving me. Please tell me someone understands.?
- Date posted
- 16w
Does anyone else feel like their safety mechanism is to avoid bad/painful feelings? I am so deeply rooted in this habit and I’m having a very tough time breaking it to create healthier actions. I feel like I am stuck in a repetitive cycle and I always have so many intentions to be better, but consistent failure makes me and my partner feel insane. I always want things to feel good, I’m terrible about having difficult conversations about painful topics, even when I know that they’re important to have and could facilitate deeper bonding feelings afterwards. For example, my partner and I are struggling right now due to cheating mistakes I have made and my R/SOCD. I have all of these intentions to be a more supportive partner and help him through some of his pain. Understanding my ocd and seeking help was only a small part of that, it can’t erase what’s been done. Even when things feel good, I know he is constantly fighting off a lot of mental anguish that I have caused him. Still, I will let things feel good without saying/acknowledging anything. I know that it’s a good thing to have good moments together amidst working through bad, but it’s more detrimental for it all to feel like avoidance. I have a hard time giving him the support I want to because I feel so inadequate at having hard conversations. I worry so much about not being able to effectively communicate my feelings after I ask about something and then it will make the situation worse. I know this is all a false reality/ worst case scenario my brain is creating, but it is still so hard to catch and overcome. I can genuinely convince myself it’s not necessary. Because of this, he has serious doubts that nothing will ever change and he won’t receive the support through challenging times that he needs in a partner. Has anyone gone through this and figured out how to change? Seeking some advice/tips/encouragement. Thank you.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 15w
Hi all! I was wondering if anyone being treated with ROCD and/or SOOCD has some advice on how they handle the things *with* their partner. For context, my ex and I were together ~7 months before we broke up a year ago, in large part due to my severe anxiety from untreated ROCD/SOOCD. I’ve gotten a lot better through NOCD treatment and we’ve been friends since then. But we’re currently in a “situationship” kind of stage, where I think we’re both trying to figure out if the relationship is still feasible, and I’m finding that I’m a lot more triggered as the relationship nears becoming “serious” again. We’re both really trying to figure out the healthiest way to handle when things get hard for me. Does anyone have input about what they’ve learned or found what has worked in their own relationships? Some specific questions: - I’ve found that when getting really triggered in my own head, I have no clue if I should explain how I’m feeling to my partner or how we should address it together. How do you differentiate between communicating versus falling into the confessing/reassurance trap? - Related to the above, my partner and I are both a bit lost on the best way for him to respond when I’m really paranoid (for examples, I have major I’m-being-cheated-on paranoia and overanalyze if I’m enjoying sex enough), or if I’m overreacting to feeling rejected/misunderstood (e.g. “he didn’t respond to my comment just now, he doesn’t care/he doesn’t get me/maybe we shouldn’t be together…”) - How much does your partner know about ROCD/SOOCD in general? How much have you shared with them about your thoughts and experiences? I’ve explained both subtypes and some of my thought processes to him, but definitely not all of it, and I’m not sure how much is helpful for him to know. Answers to any or all of the questions are very much appreciated. Thanks so much in advance! Hope you’re all well 💗
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond