- Date posted
- 25w
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 24w
Mk3, I wonder if you've noticed a pattern here... when we seek feedback from more than one source when we are in a place of doubt or uncertainty and feel better initially but temporarily because the thought spiral seems to grow, then perhaps OCD is at play. As you seek guidance or clarification from more than one person, sometimes the OCD might have taken control and used this well-intentioned behavior and turned it into a compulsion. By reaching out in this community, welcoming support and feedback, it might be a helpful practice to notice when OCD might be driving the urge to seek reassurance through posting (and posting again). Please know you are always welcome here. We are all doing our best to look out for one another in this community! And yes, of course utilize your good work of ERP therapy to keep building skills and awareness of the OCD cycle! Thanks for reaching out.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 25w
I definitely understand the confusion and frustration with this. At some point it's just a matter of trying different things and seeing what works for you first-hand. Try focusing on the advice of one individual (preferably a trained professional who knows you well) and see how it goes for a while. If you notice any improvement at all, then stick with it. If not, then try a different approach. As already mentioned, try not to seek complete certainty here, because you won't get it. You don't need the "perfect" approach, only an approach that helps you trend in the positive direction in the long run.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 25w
@Mk3 - Glad to hear it. Yeah I'd stick with what you're doing with that therapist, and take any advice you see in these community forums with a grain of salt, especially if it conflicts with what is currently working for you. Most people on here aren't professionals, and even the professionals don't know you or your specific situation.
- Date posted
- 25w
It’s hard to deal with differing opinions / consultations when you’re someone who suffers from ocd. Cuz OCD wants that 100% certainty and it wants to remove all semblance of doubt. What I would say is maybe try to journal and do a pros and cons list and try as hard as you can to find *your own internal voice* on this subject, as opposed to trying to find a consensus or unanimous opinion from the external world. Sure, you can definitely factor other peoples’ opinions into your own verdict, but the more we just allow other people to *fully* shape our own opinions, then the less credibility we will have internally with our own selves.
- Date posted
- 25w
@Mk3 Yes, as best you can. I can empathize with the fact that this process is probably going to feel really difficult. Cuz every time you hear a brand-new opinion that runs contrary to your own, it’s going to probably be easy for you to have less conviction about your own personal stance on the matter. But just try as best you can to sit with it and maintain your belief. It doesn’t mean ur belief can’t change over time, just make sure that it’s changing on your own terms.
- Date posted
- 24w
Staying off here is a good start
Related posts
- Date posted
- 21w
I talked to my therapist about the emotional disconnection I feel in my relationship — how I often feel nothing when I’m with my boyfriend, how I feel irritated or even disgusted during intimate moments, and how all of this creates constant fear and sadness in me. I told her that I want to love him, that I used to feel more, and that I believe my thoughts and reactions are part of something deeper — like ROCD — not necessarily the truth. But she said something like, “It doesn’t make sense that you want to love him but don’t feel love,” and suggested that I might just be lying to myself and need to “accept the truth.” That crushed me. I kept explaining that these thoughts feel obsessive, that they don’t align with my values or how I see myself — that they’ve taken away my ability to feel joy or peace. And yet, I left with this terrible fear that maybe she’s right, that maybe I’m just in denial. She even told me that I have two choices: accept that I don’t love him and stay while lying to myself, or leave. And that… that made me feel like she was confirming my worst fear — not helping me explore it safely. I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t want to lie to myself. I just want clarity, and peace, and the ability to feel again. I also didn’t tell my boyfriend about the session, because he’s skeptical of therapy — he thinks therapists just want money, and that I have to “help myself” if I want to feel better. I kind of get where he’s coming from, but it still makes me feel a little alone in this. I guess I’m posting here just to say… I feel really lost right now. I don’t know if what I’m experiencing is ROCD or just the truth I’m too scared to accept
- Date posted
- 16w
I’m trying so hard to feel normal again but i cant i keep feeling like im being dramatic and that my symptoms aren’t real and im tricking everyone, even on here i feel like im tricking you all into believing i have OCD when i don’t. Plus all these other types thoughts im having all meshing together its so overwhelming and i dont know what to do. My therapist appointment isnt until next week and idek what shes gonna tell me or if she’ll even think i have OCD. i keep thinking about my other posts on here and wondering if i even meant what i said in them. this is the worst ive ever felt i think i might even be going through depersonalization or derealization but im not even sure about that i dont even know anything about what im really going through cause ive never been given any kind of formal diagnosis its only ever been depression and social anxiety but ive always had a feeling it was more but i keep doubting myself. maybe if anyone wants to look at some of my other posts and tell me what u think in general? or would that be reassurance seeking? i feel like most of my posts might be but im not sure.. IM NOT SURE ABOUT ANYTHING! this is so annoying
- Date posted
- 11w
I am in an endless battle to figure things out. I think I figure something out that makes me feel better about my thoughts and then I find something else to prove it wrong and the cycle continues. I have so much discomfort I want to confess to my partner so bad. How do I handle this. I don’t think I’ve ever sat in this much discomfort. Why does it feel THIS BAD.
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