How are y'all challenging your OCD today?

Oh interesting! Do you have a Tic Disorder? I also find myself starting to say things I'd rather not say, and I do believe it has confused therapists. What you're saying about putting positive phrases in place sounds a bit like thought replacement, which is a compulsion, but I'm not a therapist and can't say for sure.

@NotThatHardcore So I’m new to this recent iteration of OCD and can’t afford a therapist right now— hence this app. So far, I feel in control of the positive phrases + not anxious when I verbalize them. But I feel compulsive, out of control, and anxious when they involuntarily come out to tamp down a thought. So I will look into thought replacement to see if this strategy might end up detrimental in the long run, given that the verbal tics are new to me! Thanks so much!

@chaitea To be clear, I'm not saying they are tics. If you're saying things to get rid of an intrusive thought, that sounds compulsive. Personally, I'm not sure whether or not mine are tics (I do have Tourettic OCD, with motor tics at least), but I start to say my intrusive thoughts out loud and it's very confusing. My therapist's advice has been to hold back from saying it and otherwise just leave it alone.

@NotThatHardcore Hmm I may have more digging to do! It does feel compulsive, but they also come out too quickly in response for me to control. I can’t typically tell they’re coming on until it’s already too late because the anxious thought itself is quick and unpredictable, and the phrase is out in a flash.

@chaitea Don't dig too hard, because that sounds like it could get compulsive. I haven't found good answer for myself. But I will say, that sounds very much like my experience with motor tic (a quick head turn to the right) which is part of Tourettic OCD. I have an intrusive thought/memory and then the tic happens before I can control it.