Anyone else sit with the urge of having to think?

I know that sounds odd but it something my therapist and I talk about it. I guess it’s the same with sitting with the urge to figure something out or the urge to ruminate. Obviously we all think often and that’s unavoidable but, I’m genuinely scared I can’t be just mindful’ the way people talk about. Just ‘mindful’ of your thoughts, so my therapist told me to sit with the fear of not being mindful the ‘right way.’ I have existential and meta ocd pretty intense obviously lol 🤪 Just wanted to know if anyone else could relate and is doing erp similarly!!

Phillip91

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Totally relate. I have existential and meta OCD currently and i constantly feel the urge to think about thinking… it’s like an endless loop that only ends when I stop caring about it and resist engaging. I’ve also been working on mindfulness. It’s tough but we can do it :)

rathernot

Date posted: 2y ago

@Phillip91 Wow sooo glad someone can relate it’s a lonely theme for sure. I realized that being mindful/resisting the urge to overthink is actually a huge exposure for me oddly enough, so I’m gonna keep exposing myself to it all day! You’re right there is hope for us. ❣️

Phillip91

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@rathernot Yes! Mindfulness is on my exposure list as well. So funny how something that brings about peace for so many can be terrifying for us. What’s really helped me was recognizing that the fear is just a false signal and that there’s nothing actually wrong with those thoughts. There’s nothing to solve or figure out. It’s just life. I’ve had weeks where OCD almost completely faded away with this new mindset. You’ve got this!

rathernot

Date posted: 2y ago

@Phillip91 Totally!!! My therapist always thinks it’s funny that like ‘presence’ and ‘mindfulness’ are on my erp lists hahaha😩 so nice talking to you. And you’re absolutely right there’s nothing to do figure out

Phillip91

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@rathernot It’s been nice talking to you too! When this first started happening to me I thought I was losing my mind. It took a little while to find our sub group but we’re here and all wanna support each other as we work through this chapter of our lives.

rathernot

Date posted: 2y ago

@Phillip91 Yeah same here. I know every theme is awful for every individual but there’s something specifically gruesome about this one lol. If you ever want to talk I’m here! Idk how to do that on this app but just thought I’d share :)

Becca1996

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Wow I do this too! Sometimes I cat h my brain fully engaged like I’m when I’m at work teaching, but in quiet “restful” moments, the urge to think about thinking and my thoughts and watch myself process things to “see if I stil have ocd” kicks in :/

rathernot

Date posted: 2y ago

@Becca1996 Omg yes totally relate! ‘Checking’ your thoughts has to be one of the most annoying things about ocd.

Phillip91

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@Becca1996 100% relate to this!

Mika05

Date posted: 13w ago

Ocd pattern

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.

Sosa2loud

Date posted: 12w ago

Kind of Spiraling

Hi guys! I’m new to the community and I’ve recently received my OCD diagnosis (tho I’ve known about it since childhood). I’ve been somewhat spiraling lately as I wait for my first ERP session (hooray!) I was just wondering if any of you guys have received ERP for existential OCD and if it was successful? My existential OCD compulsions are more so mental and have been affecting me in the sense of dream/memory flashbacks and giving me a sort of “uncanny” feeling about everything around me. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you❤️

Squishyseasp...

Date posted: 11w ago

Idk if therapy can help me.

Whenever I have a non flirtatious, friendly interaction with a male my brain accuses me of cheating. I go into a full panic attack until I tell my husband then it goes away Same thing with intrusive thoughts. I'll have a random sexual thought about someone and my brain tells me that since I thought that it must be what I wanted and accuses me of cheating. Sometimes these thoughts come with actually physical feelings of what intruded. Thoughts of "what would it be like .." but I stop myself and then freak the flip out. With erp am I just supposed to let the sexual thoughts or accusations play out in my head?! It's excruciatingly painful. Also if I sit there and give into a sexual thoughts paired with the "mood" feelings how is that not mentally cheating 😵‍💫

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Anyone else sit with the urge of having to think?

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