Username: Idkwhattosay

Date posted: 47w ago

Feeling stuck

Is anyone else on here who is a Christian, struggling with the back and forth of letting the thoughts pass, but also feeling the constant NEED to fight them because were supposed to “take our thoughts captive” and I don’t want to feel like I’m accepting the thoughts and feelings as truth. Sometimes what people advise to do in the church can seem Contradictory to the practices of ERP I feel like it’s a vicious cycle and trap for my mind of how to actually healthily cope with all of this crap. Like I know there’s a healthy balance and combination and validity in the fact that just not fighting it so hard doesn’t mean your accepting it as truth. Like I can think logically about it but then still feel stuck like it’s impossible and I don’t know which way is the right way.

Perfectionism OCD

Username: Ryan MullenRyan Mullen

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 47w ago

So it's excepting the thought but not the message.

Username: Ryan MullenRyan Mullen

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 47w ago

Yes it's very hard. I also believe God inspired us with ERP. Maybe instead of saying yep Im going to hell or whatever say yeah weird OK.

Username: blazedblazed

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 47w ago

Yes, what Ryan said! Also, don’t focus on the content of the thoughts bc they’re unimportant—but I know it’s easy to get fixated on them. You want to focus on how you’re responding to them. Are you pushing them away? Neutralizing them, etc? It’s important to identify when you’re doing it so you can interrupt the cycle. Using non-engagement responses whenever an intrusive thought pops up can be very helpful. Here are some examples; https://www.instagram.com/p/CtPKvOqOfXa/

Username: IdkwhattosayIdkwhattosay

Date posted: 47w ago

@blazed See but again; most of those responses to me sound too “dangerous” like you’re responding to it in a way of accepting or believing it more or less😩

Username: IdkwhattosayIdkwhattosay

Date posted: 47w ago

@Idkwhattosay Also how do those “healthier coping skills” not just turn into compulsions?

Username: blazedblazed

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 47w ago

@Idkwhattosay Any response that isn’t a compulsion will make OCD act up. It will definitely feel dangerous and irresponsible not to bc OCD views the thoughts as a real threat, and wants to keep you safe from it. And the non-engagement responses can definitely turn into compulsions too which is why you have to be cautious. It’s best to work with an OCD specialist bc it’s just so complex and hard to tackle without having guidance. 🥲

Username: IdkwhattosayIdkwhattosay

Date posted: 47w ago

@blazed So your saying compulsions and non compulsions are going to make it act up? Then what’s the point😅

Username: blazedblazed

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 47w ago

@Idkwhattosay Compulsions will give you relief temporarily, but will make your anxiety worse in the long run bc you’re reinforcing the fear. That’s what’s keeping you stuck. When you don’t do compulsions, you will have heightened anxiety but if you don’t do anything and let it go down on its own, then you’re sending the message to your brain that you aren’t actually in danger and can tolerate distress. So whenever the thought pops up again, it becomes less anxiety inducing each time. But it’s hard work and will feel worse initially before it gets better. I hope I’m making sense?

Username: IdkwhattosayIdkwhattosay

Date posted: 47w ago

@blazed Yes thank you!

Username: MichelleBrando55MichelleBran...

Date posted: 47w ago

hey there, i completely understand how you're feeling. the tension between religious beliefs and OCD coping strategies can be very challenging and sometimes confusing. it's so difficult when you're trying to find balance and it feels like there's no right way. 💔 by the way, have you heard about this new AI-powered OCD therapy tool called 'unstuck?' it's something my NOCD therapist recommended to me when i was in a similar situation. unstuck (unstuckmyocd.com/try) helps navigate those confusing moments by providing personalized step-by-step support, just like having an OCD therapist with you all the time. i think it'll be especially helpful for you because it can guide you through this balance you're seeking between your faith and your OCD management. 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: IdkwhattosayIdkwhattosay

Date posted: 47w ago

How the heck do I welcome a feeling when I genuinely don’t believe it’s supposed to be welcome .

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 6y ago

Accepting uncertainty feels like I'm accepting my intrusive thoughts (that I know are false) as truth. Does anyone else deal with this thought and have any tips to avoid thinking this? (I know it's my OCD telling me this so I can continue ruminating and "proving intrusive thoughts wrong", but it's a thought that makes me feel like ERP will make things worse)

"Pure" OCD

Username: ocdguy101

Date posted: 5y ago

What I have noticed is that when I try to use positive thinking and challenge my thoughts I feel better but then I end up avoiding intense bad thoughts. Those thoughts bubble up and then I cannot calm down unless I use ERP. Then I feel sad because thats all I can think about. How can I balance this?

Harm OCD

Username: Soph

Date posted: 4y ago

Constantly struggle with the battle between saying ‘thoughts are just thoughts and OCD thoughts are ego-dystonic so you know they don’t represent who you are’ and the acceptance route of ‘it’s just a thought, maybe it means something, maybe it doesn’t me - in my mind I’m like ‘well if it maybe means something then how can it be ego dystonic?’ - I really need help getting my mindfulness together!

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Feeling stuck

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community