Therapists make reassurance seem like the most horrible thing ever. When in reality for me...that’s the only thing that makes the thoughts stop for a very long time. Like months or sometimes even years, in a way ocd helps me get rid of it. Certain compulsions make me feel okay and safe, that’s why I do them . So I feel calm

You might be confusing reassurance with support. Reassurance will NEVER be positive since you don't ever learn to deal with uncertainty. Support is when people help you feel acknowledged and help you see things more clearly. Please don't support reassurance here. It might be hurtful to many people who are new in their path to recovery.

You are probably right, and I am very sorry but I am just new here and I don't really know much other than struggling and searching for reassurance. I am trying to learn.

reassurance isnt some big, bad criminal. the problem lies in the fact that no reassurance ever satisfies for long when you constantly doubt yourself and youre being insecure. so essentially reassurance is okay, as long as it calms you down for good and doubts won’t come crawling back seconds later. all the reassurance us ocd sufferes need is within ourselves, we just need to learn how to believe and trust ourselves! thats reassurance enough for a lifetime!

I respectfully disagree with you. Reassurance is something big and bad (criminal? Probably not) as it perpetuates the endless cycle of suffering. It's like cheating at the gym while lifting weights by having someone else doing it for us or using steroids. If we want to become masters of our fears and be in a position of power, we need to become fully independent from any external sources. Otherwise we become emotionally crippled. --- I am amazed at the fact that despite the proof of research, the continuous posts by administrators here, etc. people here keep saying stuff like that: That reassurance is O.K. - My mind is blown at the power of this disorder. It is truly like and addiction in that the addict always finds ways to justify their actions.

Compulsions and reassurance might make you feel better momentarily, but that doesn’t mean they’re not bad, you’re just getting a temporary relief. That’s not helpful cause eventually, your thoughts will come back, and you’ll need more reassurance/compulsions to neutralize them. It’s a never ending cycle. I’ve had ocd for 23 years now, so no, reassurance and compulsions won’t make your ocd go away.

I am doing the same thing over and over, I couldn't live without reassurance. I am constantly annoying my sister with the same things over and over...

Ik I said reassurance helps mine personally for certain periods of time. I can’t speak for everyone else but I know for me personally it makes me feel good