Hey, for my harm OCD peeps, can you give me an example of exposures you do EVERY day? I wanna make sure I challenge myself enough, and it’s hard to know when you don’t regularly interact with other OCD sufferers.

I like that great idea!

I like this idea too- I’m gonna step it up and start carrying a small knife in my purse. Been hesitant but that’s the OCD wanting me to “play it safe”.

Thank you. Do you do this everyday? I have a script that I listen to everyday for about 10/20 min. Idk if that’s enough. I’ve started watching scary and violent movies too, but not everyday.

@Atlas_21 I’ve thought of watching scary movies too. Does it help?

@Nicole0721 I’m still in the recovery process, but it has helped. I’ve discovered that I can have a panic attack and still be in control. It increases your confidence level.

@Atlas_21 I do this about every other day! I feel like it’s best to stagger ERP to let you mind come back to a resting stage! But I actually listen to a terrible tape too! That’s so awesome! The addition of writing little stories or just re-reading one that you great will be super helpful!

@NOCD Advocate - Elizabeth L. Thank you for the tips!

It really loves to attack my husband and my dog- like what if I lose control and hurt them. That’s honestly mainly it. It throws out some existential crap but I’ve been more able to manage those thoughts. The one it sticks with the most is harming my loved ones.

@Atlas_21 My harm ocd sticks with the most is harming my kids. Ugh!!

@Nicole0721 Yep! I reframe it in my head and say “you love your family so much, thanks OCD for reminding me, even if it’s in a really fucked up way 😝 “ When I was a teen it was my mom- I overcame that through facing fears and stopping compulsions. 20 years it was in complete remission- thought was non existent and looking back I was like “how weird that I even thought that.” But with COVId and other life changes, it’s back- like the switch turned on. It’s totally a brain dis function and nothing more.

@Atlas_21 I couldn’t agree more. I obsessed about keeping myself, my unborn baby and my family healthy during the pandemic. I actually ended up catching COVID while 38 weeks pregnant. Gave birth 3 days in of having covid. So my obsession for over two years was COVID now the harm ocd is here. It attacked once before in 2015. That’s when I found out I have this medical condition which sends false signals from my brain. I always had trust issues with boyfriends, always kept myself isolated because I thought I wasn’t good enough, I overthink everything. I thought it was normal until OCD Harm came in to play.

@Nicole0721 Sending you love and recovery energy! Mine has morphed in many ways too- I was terrified of losing my husband and my dog at one point, which was actually manageable through CBT. But, then the OCD came out to play, which was triggered by my GAD. But girl, we got this. It’s just gonna be a bit of a journey.