Crook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
What is a good way RP for thought checking?
As in checking to see if a thought is present
AnonymityKAnonymityK
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
Hi Crook, mental checking is such a hard compulsion. What worked best for me was recognizing when I was doing it and trying to catch myself, then bringing myself back to the present. I would often say out loud, 'I am checking, I am doing a compulsion.' At first, I was able to catch myself later in the compulsion, but over time, I was able to catch myself immediately. Sometimes mental compulsions feel automatic because we’ve been doing them for so long, but with small changes, we can start to break the cycle.
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
@AnonymityK Yes, they feel automatic for sure
alan87alan87
- Date posted
- 22w
@AnonymityK Thought/mental checking is a compulsion? I literally hadn’t put two and two together until now. I am always checking for particular thoughts to see if I’m thinking them. As Dr. McGrath says, ‘if I tell you not to think of a pink elephant, you’re going to think of a pink elephant.’ Lately I have been getting better and realizing I’m checking my emotions and thoughts to see if certain thoughts/feelings are still there. But I thought it was just normal, not a compulsion.
AnonymityKAnonymityK
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
@alan87 Yes, at least for me, they were compulsions. Checking to see how you’re feeling or analyzing how a thought made you feel—it’s definitely a compulsion. You’re basically seeking reassurance that your thoughts are ‘good’ or whatever OCD is trying to convince you of.
alan87alan87
- Date posted
- 20w
@AnonymityK Dang that is a little scary and eye-opening. Because I have been taking medication (Paroxetine-Paxil) and it seemed to have helped, but knowing this, I do that all the time, consistently checking my thoughts or how I’m feeling, checking to see if I am feeling anxious or not, etc. I’m afraid to type the sentence that maybe I need to switch medication (Fluvoxamine or Luvox) like my psychiatrist has recommended, but I have been reluctant to do out of fear.
AnonymityKAnonymityK
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 20w
@alan87 Hi, I was also really surprised by how many things can be compulsions—that doubt of ‘maybe I shouldn’t’ and the fear that it’s all OCD. I can’t remember if you mentioned working with an ERP therapist, but if you are, maybe try not to bring it up to her. OCD will always tell you that you’re not ready, but we have to do things scared.
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 20w
@AnonymityK This is a great point. OCD always tells me I’m not ready and I always take the feeling of being scared as proof. You’re right, it’s just OCD doing that.
alan87alan87
- Date posted
- 20w
@AnonymityK Are you saying that consistent indecisiveness per se is a symptom of OCD? I cannot make decisions usually because of ‘what if’ or ‘maybe’ questions. I’m currently not working with an ERP therapist. I receive care at the VA (Veteran Affairs) so I am seeing a psychologist for kind of general talk therapy, but that is it. I’ve basically been learning as much as I can and practicing on my own.
AnonymityKAnonymityK
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 20w
@alan87 Yes! At least for me, that’s something I struggle with when it comes to OCD. I couldn’t even make simple decisions, like where to eat, because OCD would flood me with thoughts—what if people end up hating it? What if it’s the wrong choice? I would overanalyze everything because I wanted to control the outcome. I couldn’t handle uncertainty, and that’s what OCD thrives on.
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 22w
I think you could respond by saying, "This is OCD checking, a thought might be or might not be present. I refuse to figure that out!" There are options with response preventions messages. Response prevention is slightly different, it is resisting, delaying, shrinking or messing up OCD. The goal being resisting engaging, figuring it out, debating, testing, analyzing, solving, proving, checking or imagining the OCD story. This is a process, however. At NOCD, we would guide you in identifying you OCD and implementing ERP skills and tools and supporting you until you get good and confident in your skills.
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
@Gail Amalfitano Thank you!
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- Date posted
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