OCD's favorite tricks (and what to do about them)

Wow, that was a great read. I read this post and can relate or understand how it is possible. But this one is the first I seen me and can understand it's impact on my entire life. Thank you NOCD! I have always understood "something" was off, like I'm struggling so very hard and could never place my finger on What. And this I can see the What in me. 🥰 I am a person that needs to understand it to do something about it. I was never against ERP I just did not know how to apply it to me because I did not understand the What to work on it or counter it. Thank you so much. Now I have to continue to define and recognize all of my triggers. I do have been in "flight or fight" for long time. A Counselor was trying to explain to me why this was most of the exhaustion 😩 I was experiencing. I could not understand her asking me TO RELEASE THAT SENSE OF URGENCY. And definitely did not understand her asking me to come out of my "fight or flight" sense. Because I felt that is what protects me, she doesn't know what I've been through and I have to But I understand now! A big part of this difference is because people with OCD have a faulty alarm system in their brain. It goes off at the mere mention of something that goes against their values or their true desires. Once this is triggered, they go into survival mode. Wow. Smh, wow. I have taken to "Sense of Responsibility" on my complete life. OCD convinces me that if I can act to protect others, then I must. It’s given me a sense of over-responsibility—if something bad happens. I always feel I should do something to help. I never blame myself if I do not but it does sadden me deeply. Wow. So that is the obsession. I could not connect what my oppession was. ERP helps you learn to sit in the anxiety and discomfort of your obsessions—even when they feel realistic—and see that you can indeed survive them, without doing any compulsions to rid yourself of this perceived danger. You can learn that although it may be uncomfortable, you can actually tolerate the distress that the thoughts cause. Eventually, the feelings of anxiety do pass. When you don’t give in and do a ritual or a compulsion your brain actually relearns that there was no danger in the first place. It takes consistent practice. Retraining your brain takes time, commitment, and perseverance. Thanks again. 😊 Today is a win.

“The idea that their inaction could cause someone else harm, especially someone they care deeply about, can keep them listening to OCD’s demands.” This was me for years (is still me to some extent). Damn. And then I would freak out and think I was selfish if I didn’t give in to the compulsions.