I’ve realized that I judge my OCD thoughts/sensations as a safety behavior because I’m scared if I don’t judge them, I won’t be able to tell them apart from MY thoughts/sensations. I know a big part of my recovery will be dropping this habit. How do I apply this to ERP and intrusive thoughts? Thanks
Thanks for the question, very insightful of you to recognize this. Can I ask if you are seeing an ERP specialist yet? They can help you to identify specific response preventions for your exposures. Working side by side with a therapist well trained can help provide you with the tools and support to deal with this in a way that doesn't avoid but rather allows the anxiety and discomfort- we want to learn that even if we don't like it- we can indeed tolerate the anxiety and discomfort.
@NOCD Therapist - Stacy Q. Thank you so much ❤️ I AM in therapy and she helps a ton
I’ve noticed that I’m somewhat happier also ignoring my thoughts than I am instead of doing compulsions (I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired atp) but I’ve heard you’re technically supposed to do erp rather than pushing under the rug. But idk if I have a thought I just refuse to think about it again and im fine even if I want to do compulsions
Sometimes I notice my intrusive thoughts cause me to spiral and sometimes not. I've been practicing ERP for quite a while so it's a bit easier for me to not spiral. But I wonder why that happens. Does anyone else have it? Also I'm on medication idk if that plays a role.
Does anyone else struggle with this? It's been the main thing powering my POCD, and it's only been getting worse. Especially when I see posts online of people sharing their personal stories relating to CSA, specifically grooming. It's so triggering now, but before this theme developed, the most I'd feel while reading posts like that would be disgust targeted towards people who did those things. Now, my first thought is, "What if I do something like that one day? What if I've done it before and I don't remember or didn't know I was doing it?" I have many, many different intrusive thoughts or worries related to this theme, but it all circles back to this specific fear that I'll become like the people who hurt and took advantage of me. Does anyone have advice for this? I'm not sure if I've asked a similar question in the past or not, but is this something I need to deal with separately before beginning ERP for OCD? I'm just curious and also lost on where to begin with all of this. I'm just glad I'm able to begin working through all of these issues now, rather than later in life when I'd probably have a lot more responsibilities. Anyways, any feedback is appreciated! 🤍
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
