18++++ please NO MINORS I’m in this POCD group, and I feel like the real p in the group. Everyone has POCD, and I feel like I’m definitely tricking my ERP therapist as well because she’s like “you’re still not convincing me you’re a p,” even though I think the taboo thoughts. I think them, and sometimes it feels good to think them. Nobody talks about it. :(
Has your therapist discussed with you "thought-action fusion?"
@Steven55! Not yet
@Idontknow - Thought-action fusion is an OCD condition where the person believes that because s/he thinks it or feels it, then she must really be it. For example, with POCD, a person has an intrusive thought, so s/he becomes anxious and fears h/she must be pedophile. In reality, a thought is a thought is a thought, not a threat or an action, just a thought. A pedo thought is no more of a threat than you thinking about ordering a pizza, just a thought. Likewise, for feelings, images, etc., which are forms of thought. Why not bring this up to your therapist during your next session. If s/he is using ERP, I'm surprised this hasn't come up. Hope this helps a bit.
@Steven55! I just hope I do have Pocd because maybe it’s a thought but I’m still thinking it 😞
I’m in the exact same confusing spot right now.. you’re not alone I promise. It’s so scary and debilitating but we’re gonna get through it. I believe in you, friend 💕🤍
@Isabella Regalado Thank you, sometimes it’s so isolating :(
@Idontknow Oh for sure…. It’s so awful. I get it. But we aren’t our thoughts. Keep reassuring yourself of that. If we were what we feared, we wouldn’t even be here in the first place :) rest easy, friend.. you got this
@Isabella Regalado You’re right, thank you for your words!
My two cents: what matters is not if you "are p" or np, it only matters whether you are a dangerous person or not. Thoughts and feelings come and go, but what you do about them matters. After having a thought and feeling good about it, do you choose to go and stalking kids and try to have sex with them, do you say "cool" and then move on with your life, or do you spend the rest of the day worrying about it, keep replaying the thoughts over and over, and giving up the things you really love in your life? We all know how OCD makes it hard to make the otherwise obvious choice...
@SoHardToFindAUsername I tell myself they’re just thoughts, not actions, and it does reassure me a little, but these thoughts are just so p and I feel like a terrible person for just thinking it
@Idontknow - Yes, it's soo hard to stop judging ourselves for what we think, and stopping the urge to attach labels to ourselves. Let's give ourselves time to heal <3. "I feel terrible for my thoughts even though I know they are not actions" is great progress compared to "I think I am dangerous": I try to celebrate that every day!
Sending you love
First of all, she is somewhat right. You are not just an illness, and you are not defined or trapped by OCD. You are a whole person. There is nothing wrong with having thoughts or even feeling that they don’t bother you — because they are just thoughts, not actions. That’s how it always is. OCD plays with your intentions and convinces you that thoughts carry weight and meaning. But in reality, they are still just thoughts. Humans think about strange things all the time — this is simply how the brain works. With OCD, the problem starts when the thought turns into an exaggerated reaction, an overestimation of its importance. That is what actually becomes the disorder, especially when the thoughts are distressing.
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