Mental compulsions

Does anyone else here struggle with mental compulsions? I have harm ocd and I have been doing ERP for a while now and I have given up all of my compulsions (on good days) but notice my mental compulsions are almost instant.. so hard to stop. I would say I am about 80% better than when I was in the thick of it (worst ocd spike I’ve ever had in my life). I KNOW I would be in remission by giving them up. Can anyone share some of their mental compulsions and how they stop them? I notice mine are comparing myself to other people saying they don’t have this issue, what would they do if they were alone, thinking my way out of a situation as soon as I am triggered (my biggest compulsion is avoidance), thinking of different safety precautions.. etc. I would love any feedback 🤍

Username: PeachMRPeachMR

Date posted: 1y ago

Primarily mental compulsions for me too. Kimberley Quinlan has a GREAT 6 part series about this on her podcast, I’d definitely recommend checking that out. I mainly ruminate as a compulsion. (Going over past conversations, visualizing possible future disasters and how I’d prevent them) I don’t catch it right away. I can usually catch it a few minutes in on a good day. I just tell myself “Hey, you’re ruminating. This isn’t serving a purpose for you.” Usually just labeling it for what it is helps me de-validate whatever is sticking in my mind, and before I know it, I’ve moved on. That’s with about a year of research and self-help, and I’m really happy with my progress.

Username: JengerJenger

Date posted: 1y ago

Almost all my compulsions are mental, and it took me a while to realize how often I was engaging them. I endlessly ruminate over thoughts and memories, trying to "figure them out" and achieve absolute certainty, which never comes. Even my non-mental compulsions are "sneaky" ones (researching, confessing, reassurance seeking)- this channel has a lot of videos that helped me to recognize and address these tendencies without engaging. It's still a struggle but the awareness is a huge step ❤️: https://youtu.be/Wx5_Fjfxv_s

Username: Anonymous515Anonymous515

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Thank you! That’s exactly what I do- I will analyze a situation and try to figure out how I will handle it, I replay conversations, I would compulsively research (stopped doing that), compare myself to other people, etc. thank you for your input.

Username: covellcovell

Date posted: 1y ago

I’m a little confused on what you mean by mental compulsions. Repeating things in your head?

Username: RandomOCDGuyRandomOCDGuy

Date posted: 1y ago

@covell Things like repeating words or phrases, neutralizing thoughts, trying to not think about it. Things like that

Username: covellcovell

Date posted: 1y ago

@Winchester2004 Yes I do that a lot

Username: boyinjeans

Date posted: 5y ago

Hello..so I stopped doing compulsions and my harm ocd has gotten weaker but it I’m sure switched to a new ocd but I don’t have any physical compulsions to do, however I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing mental compulsions which in my opinion is harder to deal with than physical. Any tips? Sending love and strength to us all ocd is a nightmare to deal with I can’t wait to live my life again without this bully inside my head

Harm OCD

Username: Effocd

Date posted: 2y ago

Mental compulsions

Can anyone share some advice on mental compulsions? I feel like I’m doing them before I notice I’m doing them (comparing, mental reviewing, reassurance, ruminating). I’m just starting ERP but I don’t know how I’m ever gonna get better if I keep doing them before I realize it ughhh help

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 40w ago

Pure OCD- Mental compulsions

What are some examples of mental compulsions and how can you identify them in yourself? I am struggling with what counts as a mental compulsion since it’s not as black and white as a physical one.

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Mental compulsions

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