seagoat
- Date posted
- 2y
How to Overcome
How do you practice overcoming these thoughts? I read that accepting, allowing it to exist without interaction can help, but I don’t know how to apply it or how long it can last
ohseedee8ohseedee8
- Date posted
- 2y
Someone once told me that thoughts are kind of like social media. You can scroll through and see each one, but you have the decision of whether or not you want to interact with it. Sometimes weird posts come up, so you just keep scrolling. Thoughts are out of our control. Everyone gets silly thoughts but people with OCD are prone to interact with them. Maybe try just "scrolling" through your thoughts and taking a second to think if you feel the need to "like" or "comment" or "share" each one. Not sure if that will help you but it was helpful for me some days
seagoatseagoat
- Date posted
- 2y
@ohseedee8 I really like that analogy and I feel like that is a really helpful way to think.
ohseedee8ohseedee8
- Date posted
- 2y
@seagoat i know it's cheesy but hopefully this works for you!
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
I think one of the most helpful things we can learn is that OCD isn't a 'thought disorder'. In other words, we don't need to do anything to get rid of the thoughts- it is our belief that the thoughts may mean something or that we need to 'do' something (compulsions) to get rid of them or neutralize them that is the real problem.
Lisa LeeLou Lisa LeeLou
- User type
- NOCD Alumni
- Date posted
- 2y
Often the harder someone with OCD fights the thoughts or tries to push them out of their mind, the stronger they get. Accepting them while not engaging is often more effective. Try to allow yourself to have the thought and respond with a neutral statement like “thanks OCD” or “maybe it’s true maybe it’s not” without engaging any more or less than that. I know easier said than done, but with time and practice it does get better. You may find the attached article helpful too.
seagoatseagoat
- Date posted
- 2y
@Lisa LeeLou I don’t see an article attached but I appreciate the words a lot. I’m gonna try this.
Lisa LeeLou Lisa LeeLou
- User type
- NOCD Alumni
- Date posted
- 2y
Sorry I forgot to attach it. https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/ocd-stats-and-science/do-intrusive-thoughts-mean-anything
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
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- Date posted
- 16w
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Braylarson
- Date posted
- 13w
Quick question on acceptance
Just a quick question how did you guys who have gotten better learn to accept these thoughts and not fight them ? What tips and tricks did you guys use to truly get better.
slippery_salad
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 8w
Bedtime exposure?
This one's a "what if" exposure; a way to trace the anxiety spiral and sit with the discomfort it brings, instead of trying to avoid or fix it. Here’s how it works: Start with your anxious thought: 1. “What if A happens?” Then go deeper: “Okay… if A happens, then what?” → “Then B.” 2. And again: “What if B happens?” → “Then C.” 3. Keep going (following the fear, not avoiding it) until you land on the core fear, the real root of the anxiety. It’s usually something sticky, existential, or deeply uncomfortable. 4. Once you’ve found it, stop. Now sit with it (the feeling). Notice how it shows up in your body. Where is the tension? The tightness? The urge to escape, fix, or seek reassurance? And just let it be there. Without trying to solve it. Just you, your body, and the fear; without resistance. This isn’t about fixing the fear. It’s about making room for it. It’s about learning that you can feel the fear and not let it control you.
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