Does anybody else try not to look at the things that give you OCD thoughts? For instance I try to look past looking at people. I glance the other way quickly but it makes me feel as though I’m crazy person or a pedo when I do that.
When you have OCD it can be tempting to seek temporary relief from the anxiety or distress that thoughts, images, urges, etc bring. This sounds like you are using distraction and avoidance as a compulsion. One of the things that ERP would teach you is that you can do these things (look at people, face your triggers) and you can tolerate the intrusive thoughts and feelings they bring and get through them. You don't need to "do" anything (compulsions) to make them go away. They will go away on their own. The more you do this, the less that faulty alarm signal in your brain goes off that tells you there is a danger when there isn't one.
Yes you’re not the only one
Yes I do the same
Yes. While working with a therapist I learned that using avoidance as a compulsion did not help in the long term. By using avoidance, the compulsion is likely to happen again. When I did an exposure repeatedly, eventually the need to do the compulsion was not there. ERP is referred to as the gold standard treatment for our symptoms. In my opinion, ERP can be challenging but very much worthwhile to change how we respond.
I feel uncomfortable when people notice me having to do a ritual to stop my OCD thoughts....
Tips for stopping ruminating?? I’m my head all day every day. Also has ocd convinced you, you are this person?? I can’t look at triggers for fear of being this person, pocd ??
This could trigger some so read at own risk. Does anyone else worry that people will think you're a pedo? Obviously pedos disgust me but I'm constantly worried that people will think I act strangly around children cause I get worried when I'm around them that I'll look weird. It upsets me so much, I even worry that the children will think I don't act normal. I had to take my niece to the toilet and I looked away which she thought was odd. I feel like I look scary or something. And I struggle when parents talk about their children because I over think that they'll think I'm a pedo when certain things are mentioned like potty training or something. Words are triggering and make me really worried that I'll look weird when they're mentioned. I have so many children in my family it upsets me so much. Does anyone else have this life ruining ocd?
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