A little reminder about avoidance :)

@Mamba24 Hi lovely :) I have POCD. I have the same, I’m TERRIFIED to google these people etc in case I find that one piece of info that shows I am this person. But the problem is we are feeding that OCD, we are telling it “if we google, we will be that person” or “we have to avoid in case” … we are essentially telling it that we have to avoid it. Think about it like this - its like saying to your brain “behind that door is a murderer, you have to avoid it or you’ll die”, the first time the thought comes up you get a bit scared and youll probs avoid it cos like why risk it. But now you’ve told your brain there’s a reason to be scared. So next time u look at the door there will be an extra level of anxiety. This will increase and increase to get to a point where u are CONVINCED there is someone there. There isn’t someone there, but you’ve avoided so much and freaked out so much that you have genuinely scared yourself so much you believe that if u go near it/risk it you will find out there is someone there. So instead we live in fear and hide and are scared of our minds just in case. I started ERP about a month ago, no where near a pro but I FINALLY am starting to understand the pros now. It’s so worth it 💛 do not let OCD dictate your life. This is in the top 10 worst mental health issues so it’s not a quick fix, I’m writing this and feeling like an imposter cos I had an awful morning…. BUT it gets better

@Jojo. Awww thank you so much!! Yea I have created so much fear in my life it’s exhausting

@Mamba24 No problem :) it’s the most horrible experience completely doubting yourself and not having that connection to your values and identity 💛 are you doing ERP. There are some incredible insta pages to follow if u need a little help - I commented on the comment bellow that Jenna on insta does an example of ERP alone if u can’t afford therapy and different exposures and responses etc 💛

@ocd_junkie I wrote a reply just above yours describing avoidance :) but it’s natural! We don’t want to be a risk, we are so scared about potentially harming someone we would rather avoid any potential but sadly this reinforces the fear and makes it so much worse in the long run 🥺 are you in ERP? Xxx

@Jojo. i’m not in ERP yet! i was advised against it bc i have PTSD and my doctors are afraid of me being re-traumatized. when i get that under control i can start. yeah, i know that i’m making it worse by avoiding :( but i feel COMPELLED to do it or else something horrible will happen. i have to do it to avoid being uncomfortable/triggering the thoughts

@ocd_junkie I have trauma for my theme as well, it’s important to address the trauma. Some NOCD therapists are specialised in both. But u want an OCD specialist who can help address trauma too 💛 Imthe same! It’s not easy :( I’m sorry we are going through it - we are so strong but there is recovery I promise 💛💛💛💛

@Anonymous Urges are horrific. I experience this too with POCD. The issue with urges is that we feel they are more scary and more real but it’s just another extension of thoughts. What I do is try my hardest to pick fun at it “thanks don’t wanna do that” “cute and helpful thought” “aww wouldn’t it be scary if u were in control but you’re not:)” this seemed IMPOSSIBLE to me at the beginning. I didn’t even want to start ERP because I was convinced I am this person and ut was going to just show me. But I actually want kids now! For the first time in a year my love for children and wanting to be a mum has come back… which seemed impossible literally only a week ago! Urges is all about riding it out, I know how real it feels I KNOW. Feel free to send me your insta and i can give u more personal help 💛 but the urges happen because of the fear and attention we give it. We become hyper aware of all bodily movements because of it, urges are only real in our heads. Exposing yourself to fears and triggers and sitting with it is so powerful. The power and strength I feel is crazy

@Jojo. Yes but my brain goes like oh if you don’t do it then ur brain won’t calm down as if I need to act on them …. I HATE THIS SM… how long does recovery take? I feel hopeless everyday. All my friends are going to vacation and I’m here stuck in constant fear. Even when I’m not in fear or the thoughts aren’t bothering me… it’s so sticky

@Anonymous Definitely definitely not recovered :) I have been struggling with OCD my whole life and POCD for nearly a year and only just started therapy. So it’s tough! I have some awful moments but ERP is so helpful for OCD. I’m not so scared anymore 💛 and i suffer from it all :) urges, gronial, it feeling like I am this person. I have trauma as well so it’s even scarier but I definitely feel so much better. I’ve only been doing it for a month, but the difference is INCREDIBLE

@Jojo. Sameee I had it for four years harm ocd ( with diff themes attached but harm ocd was the scariest for me) … it went away for 2 years and now it’s back… the thoughts back then didn’t bother but now it’s bothering me. So did doing erp here… the urges are so crazy

@Anonymous Are you in ERP or saying it’s made in worse? I got a little confused :) x

@Anonymous - same my harm ocd came back super strong recently but in 2020 i used to be able to calm myself by reminding myself it's a thought now when i do that my ocd looks at me like "oookay? anyway here's some more"

@taurising Ah yes:) ocd is fun and adaptive. My POCD started with “what if you are this person” and then I stopped responding and then images came and urges came and fears of jail came and fear of loosing control. It’s so hard 💔

@Jojo. - yes lmaoo mine came from a "imagine if/what if" thought and that's so annoying 😭 like i really could've avoided this mess (maybe) (probably not)