When OCD causes disturbing or uncomfortable intrusive thoughts, one compulsion you may have is to confess them to someone. In return, they can provide reassurance that you’re a good person, or that everyone has these thoughts. This may provide quick relief, but it ends up making you rely on reassurance to feel better, and does nothing to help you deal with intrusive thoughts and anxiety long-term. By doing exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, you can learn to manage OCD without relying on compulsions. Read more about how ERP can free you from the vicious cycle of confession and reassurance.

I really understand you. My son is 11 and have been going through these intrusive thoughts (Harm pure O). He has been in ERP counseling with NOCD for about 8 weeks. He is doing much better , his thoughts are less frequent and less intense. The bottom line is that He can cope better with this and accept his thoughts just for what they are, thoughts. In general an average of 80% of people sees significant improvement between 10 to 14 weeks

@jdemoya - That is so amazing! I am so glad you shared this. I am happy for your family. It is amazing to get the help needed at a young age- I LOVE hearing inspiring stories like yours.

@jdemoya He about gave up- I have just laid with him. Have been quiet but very close (the next room over). I closed my eyes for twenty minutes today and woke up to a text - “I will try ERP “. Now, I will continue to pray. I also woke up to a psychiatrist who had a cancellation and normally takes forever to get in to see. I keep reading so many positive things. But it is scary for my son. His OCD- is Pure OCD with thoughts that are generally negative. Not harm, not sexual- but his compulsions come through as him needing reassurance. It has been so hard. I thank God I teach because my schedule can be flexible. I am a college professor with more flexibility than a school teacher. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

@Caden0520! I’m a Mental health professional myself and strongly suggest you encourage him to follow though with ERP. He will be taken slowly and on a manner that He will be able to do it. Stay positive. ! He will be fine They work on a list of hierarchy of triggers that go from mild to then moderate and severe. They will guide him in the process.

@jdemoya I have been reading about ERP and I understand it for things like washing hands or patterns of things- but how does one elicit thoughts? Very curious. Very scared at the same time.

@Caden0520! Even in pure thoughts there is some kind of trigger or compulsion (sometimes mental compulsion) the more thoughts are elicited by been exposed to triggers etc…. The less intense they become

Yes!

@mark52 I’m so sorry that you are going through this. First of all is there a shelter that you can go to? You shouldnt be sleeping in a parking lot, no matter what the type of store it’s behind. I’m sure you’re Mother is confused and very worried about you. I am a Mother so I know the fear we have for our children when they are in trouble. It seems that you’re Mom doesn’t understand your OCD. It’s not an easy disorder to understand, so try to remember that. Are you currently in therapy? Did you give it a try on this platform? It’s so important that you do and give it time.

If this posts twice I apologize, my first post isn't showing up! Please know you are not alone. NOCD definitely treats POCD and any form of OCD as well as other disorders. The first step is getting you help for the suicidal thoughts- is there a local emergency room you can go to? Call 911 please. It is important that you be seen and that you are safe. I know first hand how difficult OCD can be. There is help and hope- you will not always feel like you do in this moment. You can get better from this. People who have POCD are actually the least likely to act on those thoughts- they are the most likely to avoid anything and everything that has anything to do with children. The emergency room likely has a social worker on staff that can hopefully help with finding emergency housing and or resources to help you. Please don't let OCD lie to you. It sounds like your mother doesn't understand OCD- maybe someday you and a therapist well trained in OCD can talk to her about POCD themes and maybe she will understand better. But even if she doesn't please know you are valuable and worth fighting for. Keep going. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. National Crisis Text Line Text "HOME" from anywhere in the U.S. to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support from a trained Crisis Counselor.

They’re just thoughts. I had similar thoughts related to the same thing with animals. I love animals. Heck, horses are my life. I went through the same thing. I don’t like hurting animals. I also had the compulsion of confession (I had confessed a lot).

@Samwise33 He has compulsion of confession all day. I had no clue this even existed until this app. I just thought he had to tel me to make himself feel better. It’s like a never ending tornado

@curlyQ802 Thank you. Some days I listen and other days the thoughts are so ridiculous that I get annoyed.