Feel like my compulsions have got on top of me. I give in to all of them because it's easier in the moment and I'm dealing with other things. Does anyone have any tips to help stop doing some of the checking? For example washing and scrubbing hands, checking under bed and wardrobe before sleep, checking plugs, locks etc. My intrusive thoughts are more about my actions harming others. Thanks :)
Maybe try to push off the checking. For example, when you have the urge to double check the locks - give yourself a minute two to sit with that discomfort before doing it. See if the feels can de-escalate while sitting in it the discomfort
I'll try that thank you :)
Therapy and medication honestly
Hello! Try to cut down the number of times you are doing the compulsions at first. If you are washing your hands 5 times, try only to do it 4. If you are checking things 7 times try and only do it 6. Keep decreasing the amount of times you are doing these compulsions until you eventually cut them out completely. You can also set a certain amount of time you won’t do compulsions. Maybe start at first for 5 minutes, then 10 the next day, then 20, etc. During this time refrain from doing any compulsions. Keep building upon that progress! Little by little you will make progress and get to your goal!
hi! would definitely recommend therapy and working with one of our nocd therapists who can identify specified goals and assignments for you. i also just posted a reels about this on our nocd instagram @treatmyocd - about other strategies that you can use when you can't "just stop" ritualizing completely. these other strategies include reducing rituals, postponing rituals, undoing rituals, and more. check out the latest reels i posted on instagram and also check out the caption for more information. but therapy, therapy, therapy is key.
Need tips on battling intrusive thoughts.
How do you resist compulsions?
Does anyone have any tricks or things they say to themselves to stop them going back to check something (in my case the oven, plugs, anything that can start a fire, plants that could leak water (!) Lamps etc) it's just so difficult to jot check multiple times when j can't trust my own brain!!! I stand at the door trying to resist, and it's like ocd just makes me check?!
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