Accepting uncertainty

What’s the best way to explain accepting uncertainty? Does anyone have a simple explanation

Joey Gerbino

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

Accepting uncertainty boils down to you both acknowledging and accepting the fact that nothing in life is 100% certain. This applies for those with and/or without OCD. It is a major key point and power player in recovery from OCD of any/all subtypes. Easier said than done, but it is possible! Sending love, compassion and support to you while suffering from the beast and battling the monster that is OCD 💌

Stopgaslight...

Date posted: 2y

Thank you for this reply! What's hard for me (and maybe the OP) is that getting this answer sometimes feels circular? (Not in a bad way! I also understand that maybe it's hard to answer in any other way since it's kind of a philosophical thing). But in a way these responses sometimes sound like "you accept uncertainty by accepting uncertainty" which can be hard for people who don't know how to do it and need specific advice. My guess is that it varies based on the fears and degree of disorder? I also imagine this is where the exposures come in, and that it's a kind of muscle memory or "fake it til you make it" kind of solution. Like, most people have to accept some degree of uncertainty, because that's just reality, and the only reason people with ocd can't accept it is that we've developed these habits or compulsions to make things FEEL certain, so when we're forced to abandon the compulsions, acceptance is the only option and we just get used to it over time, with a lot of patience and practice? Is that right or am I mistaken?

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

I don’t really like thinking about it that way. I view my OCD as a separate entity like a fire. And the more I answer it or try to address my worries, the bigger the fire gets. And fires consume anything you give them. So I just say “ok OCD, I hear you. I know you’re there, but I’m ignoring you and I’m not going to let you ruin my life” and then I try to think about something else. This isn’t really a mantra or something I recite, but I just accept those thoughts as being “there” even though they aren’t attached to me.

GregJ

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I tell myself “maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not. I’m not spending any more time on this.” Then I move on. Also nothing in life is for certain. I could get hit by an asteroid right now. Can it happen? Yeah. Will it? Probably not. But I have no way to prove I won’t be hit with an asteroid. If that makes sense?

Anonymous

User type: Staff

Date posted: 2y

https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/values-over-fear-in-ocd

Jeffrey

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

Accepting uncertainty ti me means recognizing that anytime ocd offers as an intrusive thought is possible - and leaving it there. No argument, no compulsing , simply letting ocd be annoying and go about my day.

Anonymous

Date posted: 13w

Any tips for leaning in to uncertainty

I need tips on how to really accept the uncertainty the ocd causes, even if it feels so bad like I might get in trouble for something , do I wanna be okay with that?

Ih8ocd!

Date posted: 9w

Uncertainty

Hi All, just wondering if anyone here has any tips with dealing with uncertainty? My OCD centres on my being worried that I have committed a crime and can’t remember doing so, I was out last weekend and my mind is telling me I attacked somebody as I got an intrusive thought to do so when passing them in a bar, my therapist says I need to sit with the uncertainty that maybe I did and maybe I didn’t and have to be ok with that But if the answer is yes then how can I be ok with committing a crime and going to jail??, it’s affecting my relationship and I’m going on holiday on Friday and I’m worried it will ruin that, any tips would be greatly appreciated.

anonymousgg

Date posted: 7w

Confused about "accepting" thoughts for ERP

I've been told a lot that in order to get better, we need to tolerate uncertainty, which yea I get that and I'm trying every day more and more to reach that point!! But I've also been told that we need to tolerate uncertainty AND "our worst fears becoming true". Like how does that work, especially with POCD, OCD about a///ault, SA and all of that? Like that is really difficult for me and I don't really understand how I'm supposed to just shrug stuff like that off

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Accepting uncertainty

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