I’m trying to use the phrase anything is possible to get off of ocd. But I strongly believe what ocd is questioning didn’t happen. Do I still just agree that it’s possible but keep my belief that it didn’t happen?
for me what’s helped is regardless of whether that thing happened or not, i am choosing not to answer questions. i am choosing to radically accept the fact that im having these thoughts. its not necessarily needing to accept that it happened or didn’t, its accepting that your brain is questioning it. and not giving your brain an answer! that’s the best way ive been able to not engage or try to prove myself wrong (which in the end feeds the cycle).
for example, people with sexual orientation ocd know they aren't gay but accepting the possibility they are combats the ocd and thought process. Don't think of it as resisting or fighting the thoughts, think of it as dealing with ocd
@Wolfram So I can go w anything’s possible but not believe it
It's more like imagining someone annoying and trying to wind you up by lying. Just agree with it and let them do their thing then just get on with whatever you want to do instead. Kind of like a "yeah yeah yeah whatever"
@Wolfram I can accept it as a possibility but I don’t believe it.
@llacerda That's all you need
This is stonewalling and maladaptive.
@Wolfram Well, I know my image didn't happen and I can't accept it that it could...bc..I would never. .. so what does that mean?? A compulsion?
@Speckles What are we talking about? I'd need more context to answer properly. 😅
@Wolfram Lol! I had a disgusting sexual image of me doing something that I'd Never do and it made me vomit. But when they say ERP am I suppose to let that image come up again?? Or if it pops in go with it when it repulsed me? Then if you say stop...ugh.. that means it's a compulsion? Do you see what I mean
@Wolfram I feel like it's all so crazy!! Because it's like someone took over my values and morals and this can't be me!! It's mentally wearing me down... plus physical with the stomach ache, nauseated
@Speckles I understand. So erp my prompt you to conjure up the image on purpose so you can practice reacting to it the way you're supposed to when it pops up randomly. What I mean by the way you're supposed to, I mean the way that helps our brain. Obviously you don't want to do that thing, it makes you sick to your stomach. If you were to say stop and argue against the thought or try repress it, this actually makes it worse (its a compulsion and can be ruminating if you're arguing or screaming nononono in your head etc) . This tells your brain that it's a threat and puts a mental alarm bell on it. So to deal with this threat our brain will make sure we aren't checking on that very thing, ironically making us think about it more. Its called ironic process theory and I'd highly recommend anyone with intrusive thoughts to look into it as it helps highlight how our brains actually work. The way to react to avoid ironic process theory is by telling your brain its not a threat and the feelings will fade over time until you don't really react at all to them. The come and go like the air we breathe, without noticing its really happening. So with Erp, you almost welcome the thoughts in like an uninvited guest a a party and be like, "sure do your thing, I won't stop you", then hang out with the people you want instead at the party. (basically the stuff you want to focus on in life). The unhealthy thing would to make a scene about the uninvited guest or staring at them while hanging out with your friends, as you're not present with what you're doing, your focus is on the problem (the intrusive thought/ uninvited thought) I hope this makes sense
@Wolfram Yes.... thanks! It makes sense when you say that. It's just hard doing it and makes me vomit. I need to copy what you said and add that to a word doc, document, I can keep reading it!!
@Speckles https://nocd.page.link/dbqYgS9T1qpwLYmg6 This link works for some and not others. It's a post I did a while back on intrusive thoughts. The vomit unfortunately will most likely keep happening for a bit. It'll get easier as you understand erp a bit more and your brain has time to process each exercise. As yeh it's gonna be one of the hardest things in the world at first but trust me, it'll be worth it
@Wolfram Great!!! Thanks.... this will help. I appreciate it. I needed this and the support ♥
OCD is fueled by uncertainty. Telling yourself something didn't happen, especially to make yourself feel better is compulsive. "Anything is possible" is the same as "it is what it is" imo. It leads people to unconsciously remove any personal accountability and choice. If you are comfortable elaborating a bit more of the situation? It helps us not use metaphors as advice
@Grettzel No thanks
@llacerda Alright no worries :]
I'm trying to understand your post. Not every thought needs to be accountable for, especially automatic ones. The bit about choice I don't understand either
I was watching a video and the guy is talking about OCD in general. He says you are supposed to say “I guess it will happen” when you have an OCD fear or intrusive thought. But my thing is if my brain is telling me I have to be on guard or else I will be a danger to children I’m just not sure how I can say “I guess it will happen”. Does anybody have any thoughts on this?
I am currently having a bad ocd trigger and doubt, and ocd is coming up with more what if’s? What do I do?
I’ve been getting stuck in my understanding of OCD lately. When I have intrusive thoughts, although I have OCD, I’m not supposed to label them as part of my condition? Instead I just say maybe/maybe not? It feels like it takes the wind out of my sails a bit in recovery? Like having cancer, but when I go to chemo, I’m supposed to say “maybe I have cancer, maybe I don’t.” Would anyone be able to speak to this and increase my insight and understanding? Thank you!
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
