Are you connecting with others…or asking for certainty?

It’s human to want to connect with others, and a lot of us turn to online spaces like this one to feel that connection. However, when you’re living with OCD, it isn’t always easy to tell the difference between seeking connection and seeking reassurance. Both can involve reaching out, and both can feel urgent. Since reassurance-seeking fuels OCD, it’s important to know when you might be engaging in this common compulsion. Here are a few ways you can tell the difference. Seeking connection is often about feeling seen or understood, or being reminded that you’re not alone in what you’re going through. Seeking reassurance, on the other hand, is more about eliminating doubt and uncertainty. It might sound like: 🚩 “Do you think this means I’m a bad person?” 🚩 “Can someone tell me this won’t happen?” 🚩 “Is this normal? Please be honest.” If you’re not sure which one you’re doing, you can try asking yourself: ❓ Am I willing to receive a response that doesn’t calm me down? ❓ Could I share how I’m feeling without asking for certainty? ❓ Am I looking for support, or trying to remove all doubt? Remember, the goal isn't to stop engaging in the communities you're a part of, because avoidance is also a compulsion that gives OCD more power. Instead, the goal is to show up in a way that supports your mental health. That starts with this kind of honest self-check. You've got this. 💪

sullshar22

Date posted: 15h

I feel like my OCD puts me on a deserted island with my mind and it is so upsetting to feel like I cannot trust my own mind. Seeing that someone else has had similar thoughts or compulsions gives me relief from that isolation, even if it’s only temporary.

MarcSharc

Date posted: 13h

I feel the same way. I'm lucky to have family and friends, but they don't understand the inner mental turmoil surrounding this disease.

Soliel

Date posted: 11h

@sullshar22 Wow this is a good description of how it feels!!!

Anonymous

Date posted: 15h

Im on here to seek connection with others and yes I'm making myself do this even tho I like to avoid this kind of thing.

anabanana1

Date posted: 14h

I come here to keep myself accountable in my healing journey from ocd. And to give advice where I can. I am on the road to full recovery and freedom (besides the genetic aspect) and I generally just want others to know that indeed their thoughts are just OCD and nothing more. Because when we attribute too much meaning to these thoughts instead of just leaving them alone and then addressing them in therapy, we can’t heal fully.

RayMoe

Date posted: 11h

This is helpful, I've definitely found myself reassurance seeking here and having to do my best to pull away and/or post something different. OCD is so sneaky sometimes I don't even fully realize I am seeking reassurance. Funny enough not too many posts are related to my OCD subtype so it makes easier for me to avoid directly seeking reassurance as much as possible.

Yvonne120

Date posted: 14h

I enjoy reading the posts because I feel connected to other people who are moving thru a similar journey. The stories here inspire and inform and many times comfort me in a variety of ways. It is wonderful to be here.😊🙋🏡

ocdpirate

Date posted: 12h

Are you connecting with others…or asking for certainty? … I’m not positive I want to connect with people in a way that becomes a personal experience using this platform in a social media type relationship dynamic. Person to person sharing with people who aren’t in my circle of trust is not what I’m seeking here. I struggle with all relationships. I am trying to maintain the ones I already have with grace and peace of mind. … Anonymously I am finding it helpful to have an outlet that is specific to what I’m going through. Dealing with my anxiety and stress connected to my OCD and PTSD. … My age plays a factor . Our generations and personal situations are all complex and I’ve been gate keeping my anxiety levels for a long time alone masking and practicing self awareness therapy about what is happening to me mentally as I am aging and dealing with things that need to be dealt with. Childhood traumatic events are a starting point I need to start addressing. My goal is to open that 🚪 door for professionals to help me sort out a blueprint to improve my OCD and PTSD. I want to own it as tamed and take away being mentally feral with action / reaction failures once I’m triggered. … Reading shares I can relate to and feeling more comfortable to be open and honest about my OCD here without masking is helping me with the decision to take the next step and then picking a therapist to work with using ERP rather then daily meds to deal with my situation. I have to find a therapist that matches my personality traits and karma requirements to feel safe and comfortable with addressing my mental health problems. I trust karma, she has always been on my side whenever I needed safe shelter from my mental health issues. … I do feel like I’m getting closer to being able to achieve that and the next step is to book the free call. So I don’t think I’m asking for certainty , but I am looking for a path to follow that will get me answers to my questions that I can process with logical reasoning and thinking applied. Having a Safe space without masking is another way to word that. This kinds of threads are finding me more and more as engaging and encouraging me to continue to follow the path this space is providing. Thx U

j vv

Date posted: 8h

@ocdpirate Hi 👋 fellow OCD and (recently diagnosed) PTSD sufferer here too! ERP with my NOCD therapist worked phenomenally for me. I began meeting with a psychologist for the PTSD and so far it is a little slower, but I’m hopeful! Last year I started out unable to go outside without hyper vigilance and I was unable to open the blinds while inside (for fear of people looking in). Things have gotten so much better in just a year, stick with it! You sound like you have a great mindset from the beginning, so you’re off to a great start.💪

Soliel

Date posted: 11h

What if you’re just needing a clear direction on a healthy way to respond? Which is kinda reassuring you’re doing it right but if you truly don’t know what to do in that situation is it really reassurance?

Soliel

Date posted: 11h

@Soliel Like I’m needing an exposure to practice for this.

Bilal

Date posted: 4h

I honestly just appreciate other people’s stories to remind myself I’m not crazy That might be reassurance seeking I’m not sure.

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