How can I cope with persistent harmful thoughts about cannibalism?

Harm thoughts

I have seen by mistake photos related to cannibalism and since then I am having harm thoughts with this subject.. it’s very hard for me, I try to tell myself I don’t do these thoughts but when I say that they become more persistent and I feel like I don’t want the thoughts to go away.. even after two years things are very hard for me, I teach and it’s hard doing so with these thoughts I feel like there is no ease.. lately I began therapy here and now I am doing exposures by watching medical videos but still no relief. Any one knows what to do? It’s hard for me to live everyday.

Username: flowerpetalsflowerpetals

Date posted: 23w ago

i’m currently going through a relapse myself over harm thoughts that was triggered by a video game. i feel this so much, you have no idea. i’m not currently in it, but i’m terrified therapy isn’t going to work for me. i believe in you!

Username: Brooke cookieBrooke cookie

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 23w ago

@flowerpetals I feel like with my OCD I’m worried I will always be trapped and worried that things will not work. I think that’s unfortunately a common symptom of OCD.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 23w ago

I have been going thru a similar experience. It's very hard for me to stay focused. I'm worried therapy won't work also but all I can do is try.

Username: Brooke cookieBrooke cookie

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 23w ago

I have harm ocd, it can be really difficult sometimes. I would recommend maybe trying a different exposure. If videos are not working for you ,my therapist has me do Scrips ,where I write out what I’m scared The worst case scenario is happening and then how I feel about it and even though I really don’t enjoy it it does seem to help me slowly get over the obsession. I also have to just except that I’m having the thought and let the uncertainty sit there and then try to work on not doing nothing to fight the thought so eventually you’ll get to the point where when you have the thought it doesn’t distressed you. You almost have to work at not doing any compulsions and desensitizing yourself to the thought. It took me months to do this but at one point when I was in my early 20s years ago, I was able to do this with images of hurting my family and thoughts ,truly was the worst time of my life. I am glad that that was over with; I hope this advice helped.

Username: GodsgoodGodsgood

Date posted: 23w ago

i’m so sorry you’re going through this, i went through this too and your post just reminded me of how big of a deal this once was to me and now i can’t recall the last time i though of this theme. it can pass💕i hope that you get over this soon and just because you feel that discomfort from what you seen does not mean there is a reason to feel alarmed and think icky with yourself❤️

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 23w ago

So a good exposure, watch a clip of Hannibal lecture on YouTube and then just let the thoughts be there

Username: Kenzie Madison

Date posted: 2y ago

Those with Harm OCD

Hey guys. I’ve been dealing with Harm OCD for around 3 and 1/2 months now, and it’s been extremely difficult to experience. I’ve had OCD my whole life and some of my family members do as well, one of my cousins actually has the same main subtype as me, but he was diagnosed almost a year ago when I didn’t have it myself. I’ve been going to an OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center the past week and I’m really struggling with the exposures we do there, as well as the ones we do at home. I constantly feel like I’m judging myself and I genuinely feel worthless, like I’m a horrible person to have unwanted intrusive thoughts like these. I feel like it’s so difficult to stay mindful and to not judge any of the thoughts that surface. Those with Harm OCD, have any of you here gone from debilitating OCD to living fulfilling lives? If so, what was the process like for you, if you’d like to share? Thanks and I hope you’re all doing well, or are continuing to improve.

Username: Catlove9

Date posted: 1y ago

Please help. I am struggling.

My Harm OCD is out of control. I’m trying so hard to keep living my life, but it’s scaring me even more. It’s starting to feel more real. It’s feeling like I’m right on the edge of acting on my thoughts and that I actually want to do it. It feels like this is never going to go away and I’m now this person who is going to harm someone. I’m at work because I’m supposed to keep living my life and not do compulsions. But not doing them is terrifying me. I feel like a complete monster and I don’t know what to do.

Harm OCD

Username: Loranqadri

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 49w ago

Harm ocd

After trauma I developed harm ocd with the worst kind of thoughts and I am in an existential crisis, its been 1.5 half years like hell for the first year, now I can read books and do sport but the thought doesn’t leave me and I can’t find the strength to just accept it because it’s awful. It’s hard for me to meet friends and act nonchalantly. When I am not reading I feel just depressed and that I don’t want to live anymore. It’s a hard daily fight what can I do more?

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How can I cope with persistent harmful thoughts about cannibalism?

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