Not a good place!

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Hi, I wrote this reply to someone who was going through the same thing. I will cut and paste, it might help _------ The short answer is to ignore those thoughts. I know it’s easier said than done, but here’s a helpful way to think about it: whenever you experience these intrusive thoughts, remember that they don’t come from you and are not under your control. Imagine you’re walking to a very important meeting, and along the way, you encounter an annoying dog that barks at you incessantly. The best response is to walk calmly and not pay any attention to it. You wouldn’t bark back at the dog, right? Eventually, it will lose interest or fade away into the distance. The same principle applies to those intrusive thoughts. Don’t try to stop the “dog” from barking; instead, let it be and focus on what truly matters—your life and your important goals.

What's helping me is: 1. Saying "I am panicked about these things because I don't want to do them. My body is protecting me." 2. "If I feel the urge to do them I can always call for !!HELP!! first ." 3. What are the compulsions actually accomplishing? Let's say you "kick the cat" or "punch your friend"...okay? And? What's next....? 4. Sitting in the anxiety. Imagining yourself actually doing it. Have the panic attack. Dont compulse>>>>this is the hardest part. 5. Ashwaganda and vitamin C. Daily walks. Limiting gluten and dairy. I've been in almost a 10 day harm OCD episode after getting fired from my job and finding out my neighbor committed. I have had OCD tendencies since I was a child (but nothing concerning enough to get therapy at the time) and the stress of all of this has me in my worst flare yet. However, the anxiety has REDUCED itself in comparison to the beginning after a lot of rest and practicing the things listed above. I am a therapist myself (not OCD related but I remember reading about stuff in school!)