My fav way to describe ocd rn for non ocd havers

This is a helpful description. It can be so challenging to explain how OCD feels to those that aren’t affected by it. I like to describe mine as a toddler. I don’t have kids myself, but I like to compare how I handle my OCD to how parents are advised to handle tantrums. If a child is screaming because they want candy, and you give them candy, the child will learn that screaming is an effective way to get what they want. So the general advice parents get is to wait out the tantrums so they learn tantrums won’t get them what they want. Similar to my intrusive thoughts - the more I engage with them, the more my brain picks up on it. As I learn to sit with the thoughts and not engage, they aren’t so loud.

This is a very helpful illustration of what intrusive thoughts and rumination look like! I am sure it has been helpful for others to have a "picture" of something they might not otherwise be able to understand. ERP skills help you be in the room with the elephant without giving it the attention that it craves. Eventually, the elephant walks away. Have you tried trying to find the uncertainty the elephant is so upset about?

That is a great way to explain this! Individuals who may not have OCD may have difficulty understanding what these thoughts can feel like. This example allows the individual to visualize just what happens in the brain for someone with OCD. ERP can truly help individuals stop the elephant from yelling by reducing our attention to it. Great job!!