I've had this theme for 25 years and have worked with children for 20 of them. It's striking how many on here now admit to having it. That's not the way it was even a few years ago on this app. I suspect the focus on the issue in the news and especially online/social media has a lot to do with it.
I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I was wondering how you deal with working with children, whilst having this theme? I’ve always wanted to work with children, but this theme stops me from even imagining doing it. It sucks:(
Before I understood it was an OCD theme it was tough. Fortunately, the first person I told didn't react badly despite my having a close relationship with his young daughter. It's what I enjoy doing and I keep doing it. Even if it's true, that doesn't mean I would have to act on it. "But what if you did act on it someday?" As with a lot of things, it's possible, but not probable.
You're a person I definitely need to talk to more about this. This theme carries such a level of guilt and shame that it's a tough hill to climb.
@Mr. Baldbastic "Mr. Baldbastic" LOL! I understand the feeling of guilt over this. However, what if you saw it as a hill you didn't need to climb? What if there really isn't a hill at all?
@Ben84 The hill is all built by OCD. I guess the practice is in the way you view it. But we also got that monster of anxiety that is OCDs bff.
@ben84 I’m confused: but doesn’t saying like oh maybe I am a P make it worse? Even if you say you won’t act on it. Cause it means something about you deep down? Not trying to throw you off- generally trying to understand. I tried doing it and just made it worse
Initially it can make it worse, or at least it feels that way. Sitting with the itch of a mosquitoe bite can feel counterintuitive too. Scratching feels better in the moment, but makes it worse soon after. Instead of reassuring yourself that you won't act on it, it's more accurate to say you have the choice on what you do.
I gotta ask... How long was it before you started to get the hang of it? I'm not trying to give myself any sort of baseline merely just a general idea. Also I can imagine you faced a variety of mental hurdles along with anxiety, depression etc.
Mr. Roger's once said, "What's mentionable is manageable". Once I mentioned it, it started to become more manageable. That's not to say I haven't had flare ups in recent years or moments of lost confidence within the last 24 hrs even. I say "confidence" instead of "certainty". I'm confident that when I sit in a chair it's not going to break, but I'm not certain it won't.
I have POCD. Does anyone else have this too? I have a son, he’s 8. It started when he was 4. Hasn’t stopped since.
Anyone have experience with or know about POCD?
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