Reassurance

Why is it we are encouraged not to seek reassurance? Isn't that a form of accepting what we are dealing with? It took me 20 years to finally see a physchologist! I was petrified to tell anyone what my mind was thinking and the way my body was responding to the thoughts. I finally experienced a little breakthrough by sharing my story with a doctor. Him telling me my diagnosis finally gave me a name to call it. And now as I seek to understand it- I need more reassurance now more than ever that I AM LEARNING, I AM OVERCOMING, I AM GROWING, that when the anxiety comes on suddenly that I AM SLOWLY MOVING THROUGH IT. I feel chastised for wanting reassurance, but I actually SEE IT as a method of helping each other face this more freely and more cohesively. Anyone else feel this way too?

reaganmarie

Date posted: 1y

i see your point but at the same time when people say don’t seek reassurance i think it is more about seeking reassurance about certain themes. Talking about what you are experiencing is a great thing but it is different than seeking reassurance about an obsession. Let’s say you had a real-event theme and you were seeking reassurance as a compulsion (e.g. constantly asking people around you their opinions on the situation or asking people if they think you’re a bad person). This is typically what people are referring to when they talk about seeking reassurance. However talking about your experience and how you are feeling is a great thing as long as you aren’t doing it compulsively!

Debbiehearts...

Date posted: 1y

@reaganmarie Ok, I see your point. And I'm not sure why people would want to seek reassurance that their thoughts are normal or okay, because we all clearly know and see that they aren't. So where the hell do they come from? What propels these thoughts to randomly pop into our brains and cause us to react with such a strong sense of fear? It's like my body is actually responding to the thoughts with electricity! I swear if I could bottle up these adrenaline rushes and sell them- I'd be a very very wealthy woman!

Nica

Date posted: 1y

Here are multiple articles about OCD, ERP therapy, and how to overcome your OCD—which means not giving into compulsions which is seeking reassurance: -The Hidden Power of Swearing at Your OCD: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/beyond-the-doubt/201711/the-hidden-power-of-swearing-at-your-ocd -Taking The Power Away From OCD: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/taking-the-power-away-from-intrusive-thoughts -What is ERP therapy: https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ocd-treatment/erp/ -What’s An OCD Trigger? https://psychcentral.com/ocd/what-is-an-ocd-trigger

Debbiehearts...

Date posted: 1y

@Nica Perhaps I am one of the luckier ones when it comes to OCD anxiety! I don't recognize any compulsions in my behavior other than smoking cigarettes. That's it. Most days I just "deal with it" or let it "absorb me like a sponge" I see how compulsions could become a hindrance. But I'm stuck on what they call "obsessions". I find it hard to believe AND accept that I am responsible for obsessing over the thoughts. But I see the pattern. The thoughts can be extremely difficult to deal with! I don't mean to dwell on them purposely, I simply am trying to find out their origin, the why, the How and when they are going to finally STOP INVADING MY MIND. Truth is they scare the hell outta me. Only thing I can do it SIT STILL WITH THEM. I suppose that's half the battle! But I'm annoyed that I am powerless to STOP THEM. And I'm equally pissed off that they seemingly pop into my brain in the most inconvenient times!!! It also boggles me that they go dormant for weeks or months on end and then REAR THEIR UGLY HEADS when everything is going smoothly again! It's like a volcanic eruption!! I suppose I am trying to find others who relate specifically to me? I just don't feel like I fall specially into "one" box. It is a relief to read other's journeys and experiences and recognize that I experience some similarity. Doctor says I have a panic disorder that can borderline OCD tendencies. I can sit with the intrusive thoughts. I can sit with the body sensations. But it's HARD. Really damn hard to do this day after day. I feel like I'm getting discouraged because I am not seeing a long term change from being diligent in practicing self control. At this point, I'm beginning to ask myself "What am I doing wrong?" Because I "thought" I was doing it RIGHT! Facing them. Braving them, bracing them, challenging them, accepting them. I just don't know!! Feeling frustrated and I guess I need some reassurance that I'm actually gaining some momentum and facing this disorder the way I should. Exposure. Over and over and over and over.

#happiness

Date posted: 25w

Reassurance seeking

If I stop seeking reassurance will the thoughts become less?

Lovemycats02

Date posted: 22w

About reassurance?

I’ve heard it’s not good to seek reassurance or give it because it lowers your tolerance to uncertainty. But how do I avoid seeking reassurance when my thoughts and doubts are so bad, I genuinely just don’t know anymore if I’m a bad person or if it’s just OCD? I know I’m supposed to sit with the uncertainty, but how can I do that when the uncertainty has me unable to trust my own brain? Especially when the OCD is real event and POCD? How can I not seek reassurance when I feel so alone and so abnormal and just don’t wanna feel that way anymore? In turn, I see so many people on here struggling so bad and my heart breaks for them. How can I give advice to towers without giving them reassurance and hurting them in the long run?

Ocd&me09

Date posted: 20w

Finally went to see a Psychiatrist

I finally found the courage to seek a psychiatrist last week, when I got there I was nervous for obvious reasons and felt a bit guilty. I met the doctor and don’t get me wrong he was very nice and knowledgeable in the bigger scope of mental health. Asked me questions of depression, anxiety, if I see things others don’t etc.. However, while we went through the assessment I did not receive a formal “diagnosis” and seemed as though he came to the determination what I have is general anxiety disorder. I don’t disagree, I know I have anxiety! However, when it came to the point where we were wrapping it up I had a “BUT WAIT” moment. I explained I was a part of an OCD community where I had previously been doing therapy to manage OCD. He asked “well why OCD?” I replied, “I have constant thoughts very repetitive thoughts that follow a theme and they are extremely persistent.” It was then I knew I couldn’t let down the walls and go into depth, as I knew he wouldn’t understand. To validate what I already knew, I said “I have constant fears and worries about my children, myself, and religion. I think about these things all day long. In order to free myself from the feeling I have to say a specific phrase or word in my head.” He said “well yea that’s normal to have worries and fears about your family, your religion” and so forth. The feeling of disappointment is an under statement, this is more than just “anxiety” this is something that I struggle with daily and to have a professional discredit my daily fight was off putting. Not his fault, it demonstrates the lack of knowledge for OCD and treatment many of us have to face. Sorry for the rant, sometimes we just have to advocate for ourselves.. 🌸

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