ELO
- Date posted
- 6y
andrewt_andrewt_
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 6y
I think they feel so real because your brain almost mimics the real feeling because you spend so much time focusing on it and thinking it , so your brain may be getting confused and thinks it’s who you are.
elsaryelsary
- Date posted
- 6y
Hi ELO! I’m not a therapist or anything and I don’t know the science behind anything really at this point. But I can definitely affirm that they do feel very legitimate and it can be very confusing and unsettling. One thing a therapist told me once is that you can’t stop a bird from flying over a tree, but you can stop it from getting in and making a nest. That’s what intrusive thoughts can do, especially to people who struggle with OCD. Whereas a typically functioning mind might think something that the self finds repulsive and think “wow that was strange. Hm. Whatever” (bird flew over the tree) the OCD mind will think, “that was repulsive. I’m a monster. Am I being unfaithful? Do I WANT to be unfaithful? I don’t want to do that! What is wrong with me?” (Bird came in and built the nest) The best way that I currently know of to deal with intrusive thoughts is to accept them, acknowledge them, and let them keep on flying over that tree. The more you try to ignore them and suppress them, the worse they will probably become. I hope that helps at least a little.
llamaduckllamaduck
- Date posted
- 6y
Yes mine feel real too. Not a therapist either but have done a lot of reading about ocd, from my understanding The intrusive thoughts come from dumb/primitive parts of our brain that warn us of danger. Most everyone has intrusive thoughts but normal people can dismiss them as weird and random and not respond to them. I can vouch for this because I get intrusive thoughts about random stuff that is not my ocd themes and they are no upsetting at all... My brain just thinks well that was weird and moves on. The problem with ocd is not the thoughts but how we respond. We spend so much time trying to neutralize, banish the thoughts and it gives the thoughts more and more power over time. Through erp we can correct our behavior and responses, eventually that can lead to less troublesome thoughts.
QbertQbert
- Date posted
- 6y
exactly guys! I agree. I overthink everything. you know how professional sports players use concentrated focus to rehearse in their head what they are about to do and then they perform better? well it's like that for people with OCD except not beneficial.
janiejetjaniejet
- Date posted
- 6y
All great info!
janiejetjaniejet
- Date posted
- 6y
My biggest problem is fusing with the irrational thought then compulsing.
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- Date posted
- 23w
I’m wondering if anyone has any insight or tips
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mavis ౨ৎ
- Date posted
- 11w
help without reassurance
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vellad
- Date posted
- 5w
What can I do to help myself?
It's been 9 days now that I've been dealing with an intrusive thought which appeared as a question. It pretty much asked me if I want to cheat on my boyfriend with a specific person who has been a trigger for me for almost 5 months now. I read somewhere that responding affirmatively to intrusive thoughts will help, so I made the mistake and I tried it.... Not only did it not help but I've been spiralling ever since, I feel like my response was evidence that I actually want to do that (although I know for a fact that I don't, I just can't trust myself). I also feel like I should break up with my boyfriend because I can't be with him after this (which is absurd, I love my boyfriend and I'm so happy with him). I just can't be present around him because I'm constantly preoccupied and on edge due to the thoughts. I'm also having intrusive images of the face of that person that triggers me and I'm so scared. I don't know how to deal with that either and it has caused me a lot of sleep disturbances lately. Any piece of advice would be much appreciated.
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