How do you know intrusive thoughts versus intuition with ROCD? I’ve tried doing some research on this but can’t really find any answers. Does anyone have any advice on how to decipher intuimos and intrusive thoughts?
Found this by googling discernment between intuition and intrusive thoughts: While both can feel like sudden thoughts or feelings, the key difference between intuition and intrusive thoughts is that intuition is generally a calm, positive, and guiding inner voice, while intrusive thoughts are often negative, unwanted, repetitive, and can feel anxiety-inducing, frequently linked to conditions like OCD; essentially, intuition is a helpful inner knowing, while intrusive thoughts are more like mental noise that can be distressing. Key points to differentiate: Nature of the thought: Intuition feels like a gentle nudge, a positive feeling of knowing, whereas intrusive thoughts are often disturbing, graphic, or illogical. Emotional response: Intuition often brings a sense of peace or confidence, while intrusive thoughts can trigger anxiety, fear, or distress. Persistence: Intuitive thoughts usually appear briefly and then fade, while intrusive thoughts tend to be repetitive and can linger for extended periods. Control: You can generally choose to act on intuition or not, while intrusive thoughts often feel like something you can't control and may try to suppress. Example scenarios: Intuition: Feeling a sudden urge to call a friend because "something isn't right" even though there's no apparent reason. Intrusive thought: Repeatedly imagining a loved one getting into a car accident, even though you know it's unlikely. When to seek help: If you struggle to differentiate between intuition and intrusive thoughts, especially if they are causing significant anxiety or impacting your daily life, it's important to consult a mental health professional. They can help identify the source of your thoughts and provide strategies to manage them effectively.
@RobbW2bees Thank you! But can’t ocd disguise itself as intuition? I’ve heard that I feel like then how will you really know.
@Secretidentity It’s difficult. I really don’t know how to answer that except to try to pay attention to your senses. If it’s calm then it’s intuition. Note I get it. I have this problem a lot as well and I’m sure it takes practice. The sense can be quickly forgotten for me and that’s what makes it difficult to discern. There’s something else but not sure how to explain it. I do believe the more we educate ourselves the stronger we become.
@RobbW2bees *now I get it
@RobbW2bees How do you deal when it’s sometimes calm and sometimes crazy
@Secretidentity Oh man. When I’m in it I have no clue how to handle it, now that I really look it and look back. When I get in those episodes it’s like being in thick fog. I believe that’s why erp and/or other exercises are necessary and it requires vigilance to be aware so when an episode creeps up on you you can metaphorically turn around.
@RobbW2bees OCD sucks man. I hate it. You litterally can’t trust anything about yourself you question everything. Why does it have to latch on to my relationship. I swear anything else would be better
@Secretidentity I couldn’t agree more. It’s like hell but I’ve come to see it as an exercise device. It can actually make us stronger and more empathetic people with compassion for others and give us diamond eyes. Diamonds have many facets (possibly symbolic for perspective). Diamonds also have different levels of purity as with having OCD we have different levels as well in a sense. Don’t get me wrong. I cannot stand OCD. It has the potential to torment us and taint us and if we let it, make us fit like dirt. It makes it difficult to trust anyone, especially ourselves. I’ve been in those places. I’ve also had clarity at times. I do my best to hold on to those. Since I’ve discovered what it is I have and gotten on NOCD is been super helpful and enlightening. Rocd especially sucks! I’ve had bouts with it all my life in my youth with my parents and siblings to friends to romantic monogamous relationships. With my parents I was able to discern intuition persé somehow. In monogamous relationships not so well. I wish I could tell you how to discern if your partner is true or not. But I will chat with you and help you talk it out. Sitting os really powerful. Not my favorite thing to do except when texting for some reason write your thoughts down and look at it out whatever it is that would help you.
@RobbW2bees I really do appreciate all your help. Are you currently in a relationship? If so how is that going for you/ how do you deal with the rocd? I have some ocd in other areas but it’s mostly ROCD. When I look back I can see that I’ve always had rocd when I looks back and think about it but the way that my rocd is acting has figured out how to really get under my skin. According to Dr. google. OCD is typically diagnosed at age 20 which a month after I turned 20 it got really bad so I find that odd. I know deep down I really love my boyfriend because if I didn’t I wouldn’t fight with the ocd everyday and be with him. But on the other hand my ocd tells me I don’t. So then it kinda makes me believe I don’t. I like logic so usually things only make sense to me in the most logical way posible so I hate that you can’t fight ocd with logic. My ocd attacks my relationship in all different types of way. Sometimes it’ll be saying I don’t love my bf or I’m not attracted to him. Other time it will tell me I need to break up with him because he did something that slightly annoyed me when logically I know there’s no need to breakup over something that slightly annoyed me because you are going to have annoyance in any relationship. Sorry this is a lot
@Secretidentity Don’t be sorry. I relate. I am not in a relationship at this time. I’m working on myself. I totally relate with the if I love her part. For me it’s a her. lol. But yeah I had that going on and there was a lot of cause and effect type things going on within me as well. Not sure how to explain that.
@RobbW2bees I love him so much and I want to be with him but my ocd makes me question that and then it asks me if I want to be with him forever and I think I want to but how can I be sure when I can’t picture the future but like I can’t even picture a future alone. I’ve read a lot of things that say if you can’t imagine a future with them then they arnt for you. But I just can’t picture a future period. With or without him. Rocd makes everything so confusing.
@Secretidentity Yes it does. Do your best to take out one day at a time. One second at a time. Maybe try doing some physical exercises of you’re able like some pushups or a jog or jump rope or jumping jacks and some writing. Chatting is also writing but I’m sure there are things in your head to get out that you want nobody else to see right now. I went for a hike a couple days ago up a very steep slope. Wow! That was invigorating and I believe helped my mental health a little.
@RobbW2bees I just don’t have the motivation to do those things. I wish I did. Drawing has been one way I distract myself. I’ve tried writing and it does help I bit. I wish there was just a one for all cure tbh.
@Secretidentity Ikr Couldn’t agree more again. My out is sleep. For some reason I’ve gotten to where I can sleep and that’s my escape from OCD. It doesn’t bother me when I’m laying down to go to sleep that much and in my sleep I’m free from it. When I first wake up I’m free from it and it doesn’t start bothering me until I get doing things. I’m happy for you that you can draw. That’s awesome! I like to sculpt myself. Haven’t done out for awhile but I’m going to get back to it. I’m still a novice. Art can be very therapeutic. I’m convinced you’re an awesome person. Keep being awesome.
@RobbW2bees Haha thank you. I like sleep too. It’s a huge escape. I’ve only had one or two dreams related to my ocd but far a few between. I’m greatful I’m able to peacefully sleep.
@Secretidentity So like I relate with the motivation part as well. I don’t exercise much but I know I should but I did do that hike and that motivated me to want to do a hike every week or two. My lack of motivation is my art stuff and yes writing. But I do chat with a friend in Australia that’s off the same faith I am. She’s my Aussie mum and that helps a lot.
@RobbW2bees That’s good you have a support system. I do too. I think support systems really help when it comes to ocd as well as having this community.
@Secretidentity Me too. That’s another key. Gratitude. Your bf is awesome. I tell you one other thing I see in general with people. Like for us and others with ocd, we’re also human. Being human isn’t easy. And so the same with other humans and who knows what challenges, mental illnesses, hardships, etc they have. It will be ok. I promise. You do not have to act on the thoughts. They are just thoughts. I know for us they can feel very real and very scary but they are just thoughts.
@Secretidentity I concur. I’m grateful for this convo and meeting you and learning of the supportive bf you have.
@RobbW2bees Yeah agreed. The hardest part to me is knowing what thoughts are real and what arnt but I think I’ve done a good job at being able to decipher them
@RobbW2bees I hope you also have supportive people in your life.
@Secretidentity I do. I have my brother and his wife and my nephews. They have children with all different levels of autism and a couple with OCD as well. I just learned this in the last year or so. I also have a church I go to and my faith which can be a challenge bc of scrupulosity/religous OCD. But I do know there is a good and lives us all. I’ve had those peaceful feelings. It is still a challenge to discern between those things but I’m getting better at it.
@Secretidentity Oh yea. I also have my siblings that live aboard. We have group chat and I could text out call any of them if I ever needed to.
@Secretidentity Oh yea. Now I also have NOCD. Merry Christmas my OCD/ROCD friend. Ours been a pleasure chatting with you.
@RobbW2bees Good!
I’ve had this struggle too. Currently I am in my first long-term relationship with someone I love very much. I have learned that in order to discern between intrusive thoughts vs intuition, you have to step back and think is this thought one of my biggest fears? Is it repeating constantly, or triggered by certain events? I have a tendency to have constant intrusive thoughts about my boyfriend cheating on me. At first, I thought this was my intuition and he was actually looking at other girls. But I’ve learned now that if this WAS my intuition, it would not be repeating in my mind constantly or causing me to act on these thoughts in a reckless way (also he would’ve been exposed by now lol). I would say if your thoughts are leading you to act in an impulsive way which might hurt your partner indirectly, make them feel accused, etc. this is not intuition. I hope this helps in any way!
@kierstenaw Thank you
@kierstenaw Love that. Thank you
I’m no professional but I’ve really with OCD myself for 40 plus years and discovered what it was within the last couple years.
@RobbW2bees I know I’m just frustrated and srruggling to accept I have to deal with this for the rest of my life
@RobbW2bees Does it get better as the years go on?
@Secretidentity Yes it can. I am here bc I needed to connect with people that have this and I need a little therapy myself. I’ve inadvertently been doing a form of erp on myself the last 20 years or so but I’ve also hidden OCD even from myself very well to where it’s showing out’s ugly head to me but for me that has helped. It has gotten much more complex. I also have underlying symptoms of another disorder and mental illness. My psychiatrist is treating me for bipolar type 2 and ADHD symptoms. I’m not sure I’m bipolar but when I was put on Prozac it sent me into hypo mania.
@RobbW2bees I’ve noticed connecting with people who understand and have gone through it or are currently going through it has been very helpful it doesn’t make me feel as alone or as an outsider. I’ve started therapy and I know it’ll get worse before it gets better. I’m just ready for the better part now.
@Secretidentity I get that. I totally get being able to connect with people that have this same issue. I was alone in this for a long time. I his it. I couldn’t talk about it though I really wanted help but couldn’t. I couldn’t talk about my pure o intrusive thoughts bc ocd told me if I did it would come true. The relief of finding out there are people with this besides me is indescribable. Keep holding. Keep fighting. I promise it will get more manageable. I’m here as well as others on this platform whenever, not if, whenever you need someone to chat with that has these issues. I have many different themes, pure o is my main one as well as rocd. It’s crazy how different themes can quickly rotate and combine.
@RobbW2bees Thank you. I’m trying to make it through it really really just sucks
@Secretidentity I know. It really really does. But as I said it can make you stronger and more compassionate. Not gonna happen over night. I’ve had this since I was a young boy. I’m 48 now. If I can get through those years so can you. I believe in you. I’m inclined to believe your bf loves you bc of he didn’t he would have fled by now right. I mean to people that don’t have this is difficult to relate with but everybody has intrusive thoughts feelings and ideas. But neurotypical people don’t have them obsessively like we do. Just shake it off they say. Has he read any OCD literature? How long have you two been together? You can tell me none of my business and keep in mind this public.
@RobbW2bees I’ve sent him some articles to help him understand and he’s very helpful. He does all me exposures with me. Like the ones my therapist assigned to do with him. We’ve been together for almost 4 years now. Everytime I think I can’t imagine being in this relationship for another year I freak out but when I come out of the freak out I realize it’s not that I can’t imagine being in this relationship for another year it’s that I can’t imagine living with this ocd for another year and feeling like this. That is what keeps me so motivated to help my ocd. He is a huge part of my motivation as well. I just hope a pray that he always cares this much and that I don’t let the rocd take control and make me do regrettable things.
@Secretidentity Omg!!!! He loves you. Trust me. He loves you very much. I haven’t done official ERP with a therapist yet. I actually gotta wait to have more sessions bc my insurance is a deductible type of $1650 so it won’t pay any visits with any doctors until that is met. But I’ve seen some YouTube videos on NOCD and other channels that break it down a little.
@RobbW2bees I swear I have a love hate relationship with insurance 😂. I always find it weird that sometimes the thoughts really affect me and other times they almost have no effect on me.
I’m taking clomipramine for OCD, caplyta for bipolar depression which actually might be helping something, lithium for hypo mania, and clonadine for ADHD
@RobbW2bees My therapist sent me a number to a psychiatrist who I need to call but I’ll have to wait till tomorrow because it’s Christmas. I’m hoping medication will help some. Atleast make it to wear it’s not a 24/7 loop in my head unless I’m actively distracted. I’d like to be able to sit down and do nothing and not be in a constant state of worry and panic.
Does anyone have any advice for how to know the difference between ocd and real feelings/thoughts? Sometimes an intrusive thought will come in and I immediately know it’s ridiculous and I can just leave it alone and it won’t bother me but other times I really really don’t know. It’s when ocd hijacks and twists my real feelings and thoughts and tries to manipulate me into believing they’re something they’re not or something that doesn’t align with my true morals or intentions. But since it’s twisting and mixing with real feelings I get so confused and scared. Everything gets jumbled and I feel like I can’t trust myself or my own mind. Yet other times and other topics I can laugh off and push away just fine. Make it make sense. And then I start to think well maybe I don’t have ocd at all and I’m just in denial because I don’t want to accept that these scary/concerning things are true about myself. Or maybe that’s just the ocd talking.
I struggle to understand when a thought is an intuition or intrusive, especially with relationship OCD. My problem is I have a great intuition. There have been many times when I thought something that made me anxious, and said to myself “it’s only OCD”, but then that thought turned out to be true. But there have also been times when it turned out it was just OCD.
I am in a relationship but I cannot stop getting thoughts about this new coworker I met, my mind convinces me they are so attractive and so great and I hate it so much. My current relationship has its imperfections (as every one does) but I am so happy with her and have always been so loyal. Would OCD target those imperfections and exploit this situation? Additionally I believe I’m feeling ROCD fears of cheating but I know in every opportunity I’ve talked with other women I am loyal to my partner by bringing her up. Does anyone experience the same thing? Is this really OCD or other subconscious intrusive thinking?
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