- Date posted
- 23w
Help!
I am currently having a bad ocd trigger and doubt, and ocd is coming up with more what if’s? What do I do?
I am currently having a bad ocd trigger and doubt, and ocd is coming up with more what if’s? What do I do?
One of my favorite articles to recommend to cope with intrusive thoughts or mental compulsions is linked below. I find members usually are surprised by how well these strategies work with a little bit of practice! As always, if you feel you need additional help coping or struggle to implement these strategies on your own, working with an ERP therapist would be a great step to help you learn to cope as well. https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/how-do-i-stop-thinking-about-this-what-to-do-when-youre-stuck-playing-mental-ping-pong/
Hey Tony, I agree with what @OCDhelpinghand shared. They gave solid advice for how to use ERP to challenge OCD here. I would encourage you to consider linking to an ERP & OCD specialist for support in challenging OCD. I'm sure it feels scary, we truly are here to help and you can have a free call to learn more! Here is a resource to get you started, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riKw294RZMw&t=126s
@Hi_123 - Hi there, I am sorry to hear you are struggling. I would be happy to provide resources you might benefit from. If you are looking for assistance from a therapist, please feel free to hit the therapy button - we would be happy to assist if we can. No one has to live in fear of their own thoughts.
If you can, try to ACCEPT the OCD thoughts and whats ifs. Sit with them. Acknowledge them, but don't try to change them, don't try to reassure yourself, etc. Just BE with them. Treat them almost ambivalently. For example, tell yourself: "Hello OCD thoughr. Nice to see you", or "Here comes that thought again, oh well". The more we fight these thoughts, the more they stick around. The less attention we pay to them without compulsing -- asking ourselves what ifs, mentally checking, etc -- the quicker we allow them to pass through us.
@Hi_123 Of course! What do you need?
@Hi_123 Like to another post? Sure!
Remember that OCD’s only job in the world is to go to whatever lengths necessary to make you perform compulsions. If more what-ifs are coming up for you, that tells me that you’re on the right track!
Unfortunately I’m not an expert, but I have been helped myself by trying to force myself to meditate. Sit with your eyes closed, and do diaphragm breathing exercises for about 10 minutes. It helps me greatly at times
Thx 🙏🏻
Try practicing neutralizing statements to combat the OCD thoughts such as: "A thought is a thought" or "I'm going to live in the present" or "I don't have to solve this right now." After saying this in response to the OCD thought, try and move on with the day. The neutralizing statements help to not get in the "battle ring" with OCD and just kind of tell OCD that you don't have to listen to it and almost blows OCD off. This is a part of a strategy under exposure and response prevention therapy which is the gold standard treatment for OCD. I hope this helps!
Cold shower and war heads candy
I think when people are saying OCD is egodystonic is really triggering me and I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone else? I’m going through a really bad relapse and right now I’m trying to figure out if my thoughts are truly egodystonic, like I how do I know I won’t act on them, how can I trust my emotions and everything. I feel really confused and I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore or how I carry on with life because it’s so long and I’m so unsure of everything that’s going on in my head. Like how do I know that this is OCD and true desires/urges. I’m so confused.
My OCD is continuing to have me constantly check and check and check! I keep doubting and am very confused! How can I get out of this trap!!!!!
I’ve been triggered so bad this week I’ve had bad anxiety and feel depression coming on. Last night I had a thought oh let’s plan it and I immediately thought why would I think that and started crying bad. I’ve had these thoughts for 7 months I really don’t know why I’m having these thoughts, if I knew I would work on it. Like people say has something happened in your life for you to have these thoughts and nothing has happened, it all started off from what if thoughts , like “what if I’m a psycho” because I saw this fb post saying introverts are more likely to become psychopaths and it all spiralled from there I started getting thoughts about harm towards others and myself. What do you think guys should I treat it like ocd or do you think there’s something seriously wrong with me.
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