I’m new here. I have dealt with different themes of obsessions but lately I have been worried about hurting my kids or spouse or someone around me. Ive had extremely distressing time for the past two weeks and feels like all I think about. I’ve never had this before and it’s so scary. I don’t want anything to happen to them. I fear losing control. They just switched me from Lexapro to Effexor so I’m dealing with the physical as well. Anyone overcome this?

Make a hierarchy from one to ten of exposures that would make you the least to most anxious. For example: watching a movie where someone uses a knife might be a 1, using a knife near a family member might be a 10. Then slowly work your way up the hierarchy. If you need some good shows/movies for exposure, I used the following: End of the Fucking World, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, The Act, Dead to Me, and Bones. You’ve got this, dude!

I struggle with this one at times, you aren’t alone, but it’s awful. ERP and ACT have really helped me, but I still find my Harm OCD waxes and wanes. When it “returns” I start to question my sanity and feel terrified that I am going to lose control, but I try to talk back to it. Kind of like, “yeah, OCD, I hear you, I may or may not go crazy today, but for right now I’m going grocery shopping and you can come along for the ride.” I find when I approach it that way, rather than “oh no, there is that thought again” it helps diminish its power.

Hi! I overcame Harm OCD with ERP therapy. I can give you more info if you want :)

Please, thanks!