[Deleted]
- Date posted
- 1y
Shi47Shi47
- Date posted
- 1y
My own experience is that the theme switches come on pretty suddenly, but usually at a point when my previous theme has quietened somewhat. I find that in the real heat of the current theme the previous ones seem far less worrying (it’s tempting to think “if only I only had that to worry about” which is crazy as it denies my previous suffering). In some regards my current theme seems like the worst I’ve had BUT equally I do have my previous experiences to go back to - so when my brain says “but this feels so real” I can also say to myself “but the other times you were also convinced it was real” which does help somewhat.
aj899aj899
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 1y
@Shi47 Yes! My theme tries to switch the other night, but also it was an old theme so although it was frightening at first I was able to brush it off. I think right now I am without a theme. I hope I can enjoy it while it lasts. Sometimes it’s 2 days, other times 1 week at best.
Shi47Shi47
- Date posted
- 1y
@aj899 Yes that’s something I forgot to mention too - in the midst of this current theme a new one tried to latch on but luckily I could see it coming so managed to not let it hook. I’m so glad you’re theme free atm - long may it last!
🌊Anonymous🌊🌊Anonymous🌊
- Date posted
- 1y
For me is pretty suddenly I find kind of funny that how my perception of things can changes like in one moment. I can think about how It would be impossible for me to doubt about some topic and a week after I am just scared and cant afront any uncertainty about it
Madi1211Madi1211
- Date posted
- 1y
I had a few different themes when I was 10 or 11 and now at the age of 26, my themes are totally different. The time gap in between i didn’t experience as much intrusive thoughts or obsessions and compulsions but it quieted a lot. I noticed that hormone changes and/or big life changes trigger my OCD. And my OCD picked back up again after having my daughter.
Related posts
Cody Fournier
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 24w
OCD switches themes
I was just thinking about how OCD tries to be tricky and switches themes on us!! The amount of times I have said to myself in the past, IF ONLY I HAD THE OLDER THEME I USE TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE THIS NEW ONE IS SO MUCH WORSE!!! Has anyone ever experienced this before? Once I started ERP therapy, I began to really start understanding what mental/physical compulsions I was doing to really keep my OCD alive! While I did this, I would also tap into my self-compassion bucket, even when it felt like it was dry at times, because it was SO easy to judge myself for because of the sheer presence of my thoughts. I would also have the most self-compassion for myself for those taboo intrusive thoughts that really felt so strong, ego-dystonic and real!!! My OCD would hop around from theme to theme and just when I thought I figured it out (compulsion) it would hop again and make me discouraged! I noticed for me that once I really understood my compulsions, it didn't matter when the theme switched as I could tackle it at its core. If I was able to stay steadfast and resist compulsions the best I could, I started to notice that my CONFIDENCE increased in the long run! I also noticed that some of the core fears were the same for different OCD subtypes. OCD treatment is hard BUT living with OCD is harder. I have experienced subtypes including Harm OCD, ROCD, Moral Scrupulosity, Sensorimotor, Contamination, Perfectionism/Just Right, Hit and Run, Magical Thinking, Real Event/False Memory. ERP therapy allowed me to really work on stopping these compulsions and switching from theme to theme. I was fed up with what OCD took from me and I needed to do something about it. I talked to an ERP therapist and it was one of the best decisions of my life. If you are struggling, keep pushing and get the help you deserve!! You got this!!!
Dreamydream
- Date posted
- 23w
Journey to recovery…
To the people who are in therapy and on their recovery journey when the ocd is tending to die down a bit is it normal for the ocd to keep switching themes until it fully dissipates? Has anyone experienced this?
Tony Davies
- Date posted
- 22w
Question
Why is it that you beat one OCD think, but another OCD thing comes up related to it, but the same theme?
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