Responsibility

One of the steps I would say for everyone in OCD recovery is to take responsibility. OCD is just symptoms but there is usually a underlying motive behind them, or a theme, but once you start to take responsibility for your OCD and your actions that trigger or bother OCD, it will be easier to help recover. This is a very common theme throughout literature and I’m sure you can read more online!

Scooterino

Date posted: 3y

I think we got off on the wrong foot, my friend. An OCD brain will take helpful advice and twist it. I'm not disagreeing with the idea of putting in the work to recover. I'm just trying to say that someone on this app searching for a reason to feel guilty or confirm their intrusive thoughts as true would see terms like "take responsibility" and "underlying motive" and spiral. Responsibility is a big, heavy word for recovery, that's all I was getting at. I apologize if it came off as agressive.

Scooterino

Date posted: 3y

Hi, thank you for sharing! I think the idea that there is an underlying motive for your OCD theme is not necessarily true, and might trigger some people who read that to have a relapse. OCD latches on to things that are not true and that you believe would be bad. You cannot "take responsibility" for something that is not your own, but you can start to resist your compulsions regarding your OCD.

OneDayAtATime

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

You are responsible for your OCD. It may not be your fault but you are responsible. We control how we react to it and what we can do to better ourselves.

Scooterino

Date posted: 3y

@OneDayAtATime Feeling responsible for my mental illness is what kept me from seeking treatment- my OCD was an obligation to handle it on my own, and that almost k!lled me. I have found I cannot always control how I react and how I better myself because a part of my brain does not work properly- the part caught in the loop. I have had to rely on other people and tools and medications because I could not handle the weight of that responsibility solo. I'm not saying you are wrong, and I'm not doubting this comes from personal experience. I'm just saying not everyone can take responsibility to better themselves without help, and that's okay.

ivefailed.

Date posted: 3y

In terms of the "underlying motive," my psychologist told me something similar. At first, I assumed it wasn't true, or that even if it was, it wouldn't be helpful in healing and would only delay and worsen symptoms, because there are thousands, if not millions, of factors for intrusive thoughts (or zero). So I told her, and she explained. So I understood that by underlying motive, she meant an internal struggle, anxiety, or rigidity that lurks behind every decision we make. Not only ocd, but even the other struggles that sometimes feel overshadowed by ocd, like low self esteem and other consequences directly tied to ocd like depression. She stated that therapy is very beneficial, but that we must also try to solve this internal turmoil because, as we all know, OCD themes change over time, and we have to gain the confidence in ourselves so that OCD doesn't have enough force to break through us. I'm not sure if what she told me is necessarily true or useful, but it's something to think about.

OneDayAtATime

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

But look what u just said u are taking resposibility! You made the choice to get help and do what is right for yourself! That is what im talking about we all have responsibility for everything we do, we have a choice to do or not do, and in our case we chose better decisions to help our mental health! That is responsibility

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