I shared on Instagram about what it is like to have harm ocd yesterday for mental health awareness day, and now I cant stop thinking that this was a terrible thing to do....My mom told me that I shouldn’t have said anything on social media because a future employer or school could think I’m violent, so I took down the post. I can’t stop thinking that now all of my friends and family think I’m a terrible violent person because I shared some of the intrusive thoughts that go through my head in an effort to get people to understand... I’ve been repeating an exposure of saying how I’m going to be arrested, my family will disown me, Im going to end up homeless because everyone will think I’m a murderer, etc, but I’m still just so stressed about it, despite the ERP....

I honestly think most people understand because most people have intrusive violent thoughts. I’m not trying to reassure you, but whenever I tell someone about my Harm OCD they’re always like “omg girl me too!” about the intrusive thoughts.

I’m so sorry you feel worried and anxious but as the person above said , I think people understand intrusive thoughts like that because everyone gets them at some point , just nowhere near the same level as you. Besides , if worst came to worst , all they would have to do is look it up and see that it is definitely a real condition , and I think they’d understand that anyone who posts about it is being genuine in what they say.

This was a good ERP though!!!

No future employer or school is going to look at a post like that and automatically assume you are bad and or violent. Especially if you attached OCD into the plot of the message. This was so strong and you absolutely should be proud that you are so strong. I also have harm OCD, I started struggling with it when I was 11, and I’m 21 now and have only told a few people I am close with. People like you who have the strength to go out onto social media and be real and honest are the same people that literally saved my life. You have the ability to help and change lives in one single post. I know I can’t change the destruction in your mind with what’s been moving around in there but I hope that I can make you feel a little more confident in your decision.

I see where you’re coming from. When I told my roommate about my intrusive thoughts regarding pedophilia and incest, she thought that I wanted it but I didn’t. My other friend also heard me and although she understood, she kinda described it as a “quirk” of mine ?

Good job tho. Like I wish I could have that bravery to post about my intrusive thoughts