Is this app just enabling reassurance-seeking behaviors in OCD support?

Just Another Reassurance Seeking Forum?

I already don't like this app. It has the same problem as being on the OCD subreddit or in any OCD online group. It inevitably just devolves into people doing compulsions (reassurance seeking, mainly) at each other. My unpopular opinion is that people with OCD shouldn't have support groups unless they're HEAVILY moderated by a clinician. This one clearly isn't. I scrolled for 5 min and almost every post is someone saying "I'm worried about x, do you think it's true?". That's a compulsion! This app is not facilitating ERP it's hindering it.

Username: sophia918sophia918

Date posted: 48w ago

i agree with you in a way but if someone isn’t seeking reassurance from this app they’re prob seeking it elsewhere. this app gives people a sense of community and a wide range of advice for the most part. also- i haven’t seen any bad advice given on this app thus far. i just know what i was lacking was community. i felt so alone with ocd and this app has helped me so much

Username: NicaNica

Date posted: 48w ago

Some of that is definitely true, but what’s also true is there are many people on here in other countries that have absolutely NO base for mental health help and this is the only way they can figure out they have OCD and get tips and recommendations to do self-guided ERP.

Username: TJ2TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 48w ago

I totally get what you're saying. I'm glad you recognize reassurance seeking and don't fall into the trap! This a good reminder to us all not to do that with one another. I wish people didn't seek reassurance (but if wishes were horses we'd all be eating steak I guess haha). And I have also found some golden nugget moments in here. For example, someone asked if ROCD can attach itself to any kind of relationship and I thought the discussion around it was accurate and helpful. For me, anyway! Ditto on the OCD subreddit. I haven't visited it in a long time. Is it still as rough as it was?

Username: PubbywomwomPubbywomwom

Date posted: 48w ago

💯

Username: JenniesOCDBrainJenniesOCDBrain

Date posted: 48w ago

hey, that sounds super frustrating. it's tough when you're looking for support and find yourself surrounded by the very behaviors you're trying to manage. i totally get why you'd feel that way about the app and groups. i've been there too, and what really helped me was this free AI tool called "unstuck" that my ocd therapist recommended. it'll be especially helpful for you because it avoids the cycle of reassurance and instead provides personalized step-by-step support, just like an ocd therapist would during erp. i hate when people promote stuff, but i really think it can help you because it's changed my life. lmk if you have qs or just want to talk more! <3

Username: Serena

Date posted: 6y ago

A suggestion. I saw a post of @OCDtreated on Twitter and I’d like to share with all of you who want to recover. “I am not a fan of OCD forums. Full of reassurance seeking.” I kinda agree with him on this. When people are troubled by OCD, they are more vulnerable to negative stuff and more skeptical with positive information. Although an OCD online group/forum can be helpful in some way (knowing that you are not alone, reducing the stigma, finding understanding), it can also be not that helpful. We talk here without any therapists’ guidance, and it’s so easy we post “unhealthy” information or questions to seek reassurance. One way to get better is to “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable”. This requires you to get more involved with your life, less from OCD. Constantly checking on ocd forums is not getting on with your life. However, I am not saying that you should not visit OCD groups any more.

Username: FernandoV

Date posted: 5y ago

I see a lot of undiagnosed teenagers doing lots of compulsions (without knowing) and asking lots of reassurance here. - This app might be doing more harm than good to them. I can't believe the administrators allow it.

Username: Jay Bird

Date posted: 2y ago

This app has become overwhelming

There are so many posts on here now that it’s become quite overwhelming. Some days I can use the app appropriately and get actually helpful information out of it or attempt to offer insight to people struggling. However, lately I’ve found I’ve been using it as a bit of a compulsion to see other people struggling like me to “reassure” myself it’s OCD. But I’ve also been triggered by a lot of people offering others really bad advice that isn’t good for OCD. There are way too many reassurance seeking posts (I know it’s hard, I’ve been guilty of it too). I think I’m going to take a break from the app. My advice to you, stop seeking constant reassurance. Stop obsessively reading stuff related to your intrusive thoughts/worries.

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Is this app just enabling reassurance-seeking behaviors in OCD support?

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