- Date posted
- 6y ago
- Date posted
- 6y ago
It’s not really a “spectrum”. All ocd has the same roots. ‘Distressing thought or urge’, followed by a ‘calming compulsion that dispels the urge or counteracts the thought’. This thought or urge is sometimes completely irrational or simply way overblown. So for example someone could believe that the number 8 means something very very bad, so when they see it (Distressing thought-‘oh no here’s the bad omen’) they need to neutralize it (a ritual like saying ‘good’ as many times as it takes until it feels right). Doing this compulsions reaffirms to your brain that the number 8 is indeed a bad thing. This is the same as someone who has a distressing thought involving harming a child. They have the thought, and then immediately do things like avoid the kid or hide knives or sharp objects that they think they could one day loose control and use to harm a kid. They feel better after getting rid of the ‘weapons’, which reaffirms to their brain that the thought they had is indeed cause for action and evidence that they are dangerous- which is simply not the case. OCD doesn’t leave territory unmarked, and there isn’t anything that isn’t within its grasp. If it matters to you, if it’s something you’re afraid of, if you have any stake in it- ocd will latch onto it. It appears differently for people too, because we all have different fears and different ways our lives would be affected by our fears. There are very common “themes” however, which mainly are of a sexual nature, involve health, or religious/existential ideas. And the reasons why it is so debilitating is because it feeds off of doubt and guilt.
- Date posted
- 6y ago
like leah said above me, basically it can be anything, but ocd is only able to latch onto stuff that really matters to you. thats why there are a good amount of “common” themes, mainly because those are common values people have, like family, relationships (love), good health, religion, sexuality, morals and so forth. but basically, anything that matters to you can spin itself into intrusive thoughts and obsessions
- Date posted
- 6y ago
Go to ocdonline.com click on articles and click on choice it really breaks it down .
- Date posted
- 6y ago
Ok thanks guys
Related posts
- Date posted
- 10w ago
This list by ai gives a good summary of my symptoms. Does it resemble OCD or is it something else? 1. Compulsions (OCD-specific behaviors): • Feeling the need to flex or contract muscles an even number of times, equally on both sides of your body. • Needing to reverse actions (for example, if you roll your eyes or trace a line with your finger, you feel compelled to do it again in the exact opposite way). 2. Intrusive Thoughts (OCD-specific ruminations): • Daydreaming about people you care about getting hurt (e.g., school shooting, injury, or kidnapping). • Sometimes feeling like you might want something bad to happen to someone you find attractive—possibly because of a desire to help or save them, though it’s confusing. • These thoughts can sometimes provide a twisted sense of relief while remaining distressing and confusing. 3. Sexual Orientation OCD: • Experiencing confusion or doubt about your sexual orientation. 4. Contamination Thoughts: • Feeling like things are contaminated, especially after touching something gross. 5. Sensory Compulsions: • Feeling the need to smell your hand after touching areas like your ear or hair. 6. ADHD-like Symptoms / Additional Observations: • Fidgeting or moving your legs when standing or sitting.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 9w ago
OCD is so much more than just being 'neat' or 'organized'—it’s relentless, exhausting, and often deeply misunderstood. The intrusive thoughts, the compulsions, the anxiety—it can feel like a never-ending cycle that others just don’t seem to get. Many of us have had experiences where even therapists didn’t fully grasp the depth of our struggles. I myself faced difficulty being misdiagnosed and my talk therapist not understanding the full extent of what I was going through until I found NOCD. So many prior therapists wrote off my symptoms as general anxiety, not realizing it was actually OCD all along. If you could sit down with a therapist who truly wanted to understand, what do you wish they knew about OCD?
- Date posted
- 8w ago
How to know if you actually have it or if I’m just making up the symptoms? I have a lot of intrusive thoughts constantly and even have a “theme” but it really surged after I search up what I was experiencing, but then again I search up a lot of what I experience and constantly have to recheck things. My parents say I’m normal but I know I’m not, (both of my siblings have adhd) I find it immensely hard to focus from turning 17-18. Please let me know what you think l! Thanks!
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond