- Date posted
- 1y
Why I think intrusive thoughts should be ignored
I learned that it’s way better to think an intrusive thought once and let it go than to ruminate about it and perhaps even do a ritual (or several). The way I see it, one ritual equals one more time that I am thinking about that intrusive thought. And if I think about that intrusive thought, then I might end up thinking that intrusive thought again. Then I might need to do a ritual. But I’d rather just think that intrusive thought once and let it go versus think that intrusive thought, debate whether I should do a ritual or not, worry about whether the ritual will work or if the ritual was perfect, and then finally move on with my life. Then have to experience that same intrusive thought over again. In my past experience, this cycle might keep repeating for at least 5-10 times. But lots of times it was way more. But regardless of how many cycles it will go on for, when the cycles stop, I would have thought about that intrusive thought anywhere from 5-25 times probably. And if intrusive thoughts really could cause bad things to happen (which is what OCD tells us), isn’t it worse to have thought an intrusive thought 5-25 times instead of just ONCE and having let it go the first time around? I’d definitely rather have a low chance of harming someone than a high chance. And letting go of an intrusive thought the first time around seems to be a logical way to do so. This is something that I thought I’d share because maybe it might help someone out there. Also, sometimes I personally feel worse / less innocent when I can’t do a ritual perfectly versus when I get an intrusive thought. Because thoughts are automatic and if a thought comes into my mind, what can I really do about it? Nothing. If I had a choice, I would have made sure it NEVER entered my mind, but unfortunately I do not have that choice. On the other hand, if I’m not able to do a ritual properly, I personally feel like I’m part of the problem and I tend to take responsibility for not doing it correctly. (Maybe someday when I recover from most aspects of ocd, I might look back and realize I was not responsible for it). Hence, this also makes me think that perhaps it’s better to accept the intrusive thought the first time around and let it come and go, vs fight it with lots of rituals which eventually might make me feel worse. The truth is that people without OCD accept them the first time around. That’s why they don’t need to do rituals. Perhaps it’s time to do the same thing they do (which is what we used to do before ocd kicked in) Also, I’m not sure if I should tag this post with only “Magical Thinking OCD” because I think it can apply to all OCD types. I sincerely hope this helps everyone though.