Where to draw the line with ERP

Okay, so for the most part, if you have harm ocd/intrusive thoughts, you’ll understand (hopefully). If you haven’t seen, everyone is talking about the Netflix documentary “Dahmer”. Most harm ocd sufferers (myself included) that I’ve gotten to know all struggle with fears of being evil in any way (like a sociopath/narcissistic, etc). Do we need to make ourselves watch it? Even some of my friends without OCD say they couldn’t do it. The reason I don’t want to watch it is because I’m afraid it’ll trigger me. I’ll look for any common traits (this is what I do) and it’ll send me into a panic attack. But aren’t we SUPPOSED to on purpose watch things that bring us distress? The series has everyone talking about mental health and it SUCKS because OCD is considered “mental health” and I feel like it lumps us all into a giant category. Everything true crime triggers my harm ocd. I don’t even want to know humans are capable of such things because then it reminds me “it’s all possible”. I don’t know if I explained it well, but does ANYONE understand where I’m coming from 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Username: Autumn.WhiteAutumn.White

Date posted: 2y ago

I both have OCD and love true crime but I am not watching the Jeffery Dahmer thing. His case is the only case that I know very little about and absolutely refuse to research, because 1 of the very few things I do know about him, is that the police in the area might as well have sacrificed one of Jeffery Dahmer's victims to death itself, because they allowed him to go home with Dahmer despite him being stood right in front of them shaking, crying and petrified. I can't stand incompetence from police, like that. It also includes possibly triggering things such as homophobia and cannibalism, so I personally wouldn't recommend.

Username: EFF_OCDEFF_OCD

Date posted: 2y ago

@Autumn.White Thank you for that info!

Username: Dee CDee C

Date posted: 2y ago

I understand what you’re saying. We’re supposed to build up a gradual resistance to what triggers us. Part of erp is to sit with the discomfort of the thoughts and feelings knowing you can handle them. Perhaps this is something best to be discussed with your therapist. I’m no expert but it’s like learning how to swim. You don’t jump into the deep part of the pool without first learning how to flap your arms & legs.

Username: ivrecivrec

Date posted: 2y ago

I have no desire to watch it and know people without OCD that don’t watch the news and certain shows because they know it will bother them.

Username: EFF_OCDEFF_OCD

Date posted: 2y ago

@ivrec Yea I agree. My ocd will tell me “oh are you avoiding as a compulsion” but sometimes you do avoid unpleasant things. It’s sometimes hard to find the happy medium with this disorder 🥹

Username: Taylen

Date posted: 2y ago

Harm OCD

just a couple days ago i experienced this for the first time from watching the new DAHMER series. Im having intrusive images and thoughts of me harming or killing my loved ones and its so scary because i would never do it. It has me questioning if im crazy and im having severe panic attacks over 3 times a day. Im mentally and physically drained, i’ve told my mom about it and we are going to see a therapist tomorrow. Im scared to because idk if they specialize in OCD and if i tell them my thoughts they are gonna put me in the mental hospital or say im crazy and don’t have OCD, can any therapists on here or fellow people with Harm OCD let me know if you think im showing signs of it, i just want it to go away and to be able to sleep at night without severe overthinking.

Username: EFF_OCD

Date posted: 1y ago

How many of you have harm ocd?

Anyone else feel like their worst ocd theme is harm? I have several themes but I’d rather experience any of mine than my harm ocd. When I get anxious over my harm ocd, I’m miserable but when I don’t get anxious, my ocd latches on to “oh so you like this? Could you do this? Do you want to?” Ugh. I just hope someone understands or can respond bc I’m in a bad flare and just want to know I’m not alone 😔. Mine was personally triggered by the Idaho murder thing that I keep seeing on Tik tok. I made myself watch dateline about it for ERP so I’m sitting with all the anxiety right now and I can’t stop ruminating. He had OCD (the criminal who did it) so of course that has me legit spiraling. 😣😣😣😣

Harm OCD

Username: jordanlei

Date posted: 1y ago

Harm OCD and horror movies

Suffer from Harm OCD (fear of stabbing a loved one mainly) and used to love horror movies, but now I'm pretty terrified of watching them because I fear I'll trigger my intrusive thoughts even more. Anyone have experience with this? Advice?

Harm OCD

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Where to draw the line with ERP

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