- Username
- Janice
- Date posted
- 6y ago
You don't sound stupid at all.. this is a very important topic. Here's a great article on seeking reassurance for OCD. Hopefully some other people can give their input on this too! https://ocdla.com/reassurance-seeking-ocd-anxiety-1952
Think about this way: everytime you seek reassurance, you are temporarily reducing your anxiety and making the “OCD beast” grow stronger. So while it may help you feel better in the short term, all you are doing is completing the OCD cycle. Soon enough, another obsession/thought/trigger will occur and you’ll be desperately needing that anxiety-reducing reassurance once again. What if you can’t get reassurance at that time, then what are you going to do? It’s so important to learn how to face fears on your own, deal with the anxiety on your own, and accept the uncertainty/doubt that comes with it. This is how you can really recover and start living life regardless of the OCD being there or not.
My psychologists told me to use “self talk” which is a form of self reassurance. I’m confused too!
You’re fine dear! Reassurance is a big compulsion of mine and many others. A lot of times the ones like reassurance and rumination don’t seem like compulsions but sadly they are. In a sense a little reassurance can go a long way with ocd, I think the occasional “it’s all okay” while having an anxiety attack is normal and natural, especially if it’s a bad one, but if it’s stuff like “no I love my partner, no I’m not gay” etc. those are what you could call the “bad” ones. If that makes sense
Many psychologists who don’t understand OCD make it worse
Reassurance can make your ocd grow really severe
Can someone explain to me why reassurance is bad for OCD?? I often have overwhelming anxiety that my boyfriend is upset with me. So I will sometimes ask him if we’re good. Even though nothing has happened to suggest anything is wrong. He knows I have terrible anxiety so he never makes me feel bad for asking. And as soon as I’ve asked I feel better.
Is it possible to seek reassurance from oneself? Because sometimes I try to combat my obsessive thoughts by telling myself, "this is just my OCD. There's no need to be anxious or upset over this unwanted thought. My OCD is telling me things that aren't true." Or if I have an intrusive thought, I'll tell myself, "this is just an intrusive thought, it doesn't reflect who I am as a person. Just because I'm having an intrusive thought about doing something awful doesn't mean I actually want to do that thing. It's just an intrusive thought, it doesn't say anything about my character or desires." Is it okay to do this, or is this another form of reassurance-seeking? I guess basically my question is, is it okay to comfort oneself and remind oneself of the truth, or is this a form of compulsion in itself? I'm just trying to figure out how to respond to my intrusive thoughts and obsessions in a healthy way.
Why is reassurance bad for my obsessions? I was recently diagnosed and I have always felt better after reassurance. I have heard it is a compulsion but what other options do I have?
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond