I'm so frustrated with how when I get so obsessive over an issue I ask my family and friends so much for reassurance that I know doesn't even help alleviate the distress. It makes me feel annoying. Any tips for reducing this behavior?
Obviously don’t give in to it but easier said then done. So one way is to space it out or limit it. Let’s say you asked for reassurance 5 times or more in a day. Limit it to 3. Let’s say you do it immediately after an intrusive thought. Space it out for like a hour. This helps so you don’t have to go cold turkey because the compulsions are habits and we are creatures of habit. When you know you’re going to ask for reassurance as much as you can say “I’m about to ask for reassurance and this isn’t helpful” this might help make you more aware too.
i do this sometimes too!!! but honestly what helps me is i remind myself needing reassurance is okay! there’s nothing wrong with wanting reassurance when you’re in a ocd episode (i call them episodes). i always ask ppl to tell me if it becomes too much that way i can compromise with them.
Oh and you can ground yourself from the moment. Take deep slow breaths, find things you can touch, taste, smell, and see to keep you focused on the moment.
it really sounds like you're in a tough spot, feeling trapped in that cycle of seeking reassurance but not getting the relief you're hoping for. i can understand why that would leave you feeling frustrated and worried about annoying those close to you. it's one of those ocd habits that's so hard to break free from, even when you know deep down it's not the solution. i've been there with my own Pure O struggles, getting caught up in the urge to perform mental compulsions. it's that same kind of itch you're talking about, where it feels impossible not to scratch, but scratching doesn't really help. so, about that tool i mentioned, the AI OCD therapy tool, i find it pretty useful for exactly these moments. when i'm spiraling and tempted to seek reassurance, i turn to the tool. you record your obsessive thought, much like a journal entry, and the AI guides you through an ERP-based response, challenging you to withstand the urge to seek reassurance and guiding you in how to better tolerate the discomfort. it's been a real help when i'm feeling stuck. since it's free, there's no harm in giving it a whirl. who knows, it might just give you that extra bit of support to help
Can someone explain to me why reassurance is bad for OCD?? I often have overwhelming anxiety that my boyfriend is upset with me. So I will sometimes ask him if we’re good. Even though nothing has happened to suggest anything is wrong. He knows I have terrible anxiety so he never makes me feel bad for asking. And as soon as I’ve asked I feel better.
Advice please! I have OCD, and it’s wormed it’s way to my relationship. It particularly revolves around social media, trust and the security of being together “forever”. I whole heartedly trust my partner. However, we all know that OCD causes doubt in the most rational things. Lately, if I get an irrational thought, I ask my partner if it’s true or not true, I get the affirmation I need, and then I feel intense guilt. The cycle begins again because I feel insecure for asking such questions, How do I work through these nagging thoughts and not bring my boyfriend into it? I get super impulsive and just ask him to reassure me. When I don’t ask him and challenge the thought, I’m really moody with him. I’ve had OCD my entire life and have “cured” other obsessions/rituals but for some reason, this one is tough, since another person is involved. Any advice?!
I keep obsessing that my boyfriend is disappointed in me / annoyed for a situation that happened and I keep asking for reassurance which he keeps providing. I know I shouldn’t ask as the ocd wants that, and it’s going in circles. Does anyone have any advice on what to do to get over the discomfort ? My ocd literally anytime there is an awkward moment or argument gives me the thought see things are ruined you ruined them and now they’ll never ever be the same. But my partner moves on quickly and says it was no big deal. Sitting with the anxiety and doing nothing isn’t working , I keep giving into reassurance seeking....I have tried distract skills like tv , internet , music, but then without fail by the end of the day it’s back on my mind. Ugh ?
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