Question about pure OCD: when I was younger, I had a lot of intrusive images of people I didn't like, like Tr*mp, Logan Paul, and others, so to cope I had to imagine the opposite person to kind of neutralize it (I had to search on google images of Bernie Sanders to feel better, I know, weird thing but I was really in politics at the time) Can that be considered a compulsion? If yes, has that ever happened to you? Right now I don't feel like that anymore, the intrusive images still trigger me and they do make me feel "impure" but they don't bother me that much anymore, I learned to ignore them as I grew.

It wasn't a very effective technique, it worked only partially, because the intrusive image was a lot stronger than the compulsion so it kinda got overshadowed, I also think that each time I did that the triggers gained more meaning and power, (I don't know if technique is the correct term, because I didn't apply it in a logical sense, it was more like a need, I was obliged to do it because if not I couldn't move on with my normal routines). But I moved on with time by not ingaging with the images, by not giving them power over me. Maybe it was because I was forced by the situation I was in (but idk remember very well). The thing about such obsessions was that these "impure" images would stick with me and get printed in my mind and in my memory (like an immunological memory); it wasn't just a visual thing, but a disgusting feeling in and of itself; I could feel the image's essence in the upper side of my body, as if my soul could "taste" the feeling. I don't think that what I did was doing the opposite thing but rather a mental act to ease myself, I was simply "replacing" (a fitting term) "impure" things with "pure" things, so just an half and temporary solution.

@Nameless000 I forgot to mention one thing, I don't have these compulsions anymore but I still get triggered sometimes, not as intensily as I did in the past, but I never reached the point where I just don't get triggered at all, I never had the courage to do that step.

I'm really sorry for sending these longs replies, but I also had a question: what do you mean by doing the complete opposite of your intrusive thoughts? Do you mean like tricking ocd by trying to be unfazed at what is supposed to trigger you? Or is it a different kind of thing?

@Nameless000 ugh yes it's horrible but when I have an intrusive image I'm just like 🙂 ok then and carry on. It feels SO UNCOMFY but I've even gotten to the point of being able to sing my intrusive thoughts outlook repeatedly LOL never thought I'd do that

@Nameless000 It's more doing the opposite of my compulsions : going to the street my thought tells me to avoid, telling my my friend I have been to the hospital for mental health when my thought tells me do say "everything is fine"