A small hill. Do you agree?

Semantics matter. Please understand going into this post, I am not particularly upset about this, it's just an observation I've had over the years and am curious if anyone else feels the same. The word "compulsion" has multiple implications inOCD. Sometimes, the compulsion is strong enough that it just happens without thought. But, often, I find myself weighing the options of doing the compulsion or not doing the compulsion and deciding that doing it is easier, even if it takes extra time. What's 5 minutes, you know? I'm not sure that compulsion is the best word for this feeling, since to some degree, it is a conscious decision to not resist it in that moment. I would even argue that sometimes it is necessary to prioritize which compulsion to address first. I've absolutely consciously allowed myself to partake in less harmful/disruptive compulsions, while trying to address more severe/important ones. Another term I hear a lot within the therapeutic context is this concept of "life or death" when referring to the feeling that comes with needing to do a compulsion. Perhaps I'm being too literal, but this phrasing feels too alarmist and almost like mockery to me. I know, in the front of my conscienceness that whatever the fear is will not be the end of the world, but that doesn't make it easier to resist the compulsion and it doesn't reduce the anxiety. Understanding it logically does not stop OCD. Do you agree or disagree with my reaction to these words? Are there any other terms or phrases that bother you?

josiah9

Date posted: 15h

I understand your point. As someone with pure ocd the terms you mention resonate closely with me. I do not feel in control of myself when I compulse, and it feels existential. Resisting compulsion leads to intense panic, hyperventilation etc. However other presentations of ocd, I’ve read, especially around rituals can by neurologically a little different, more about satisfying an urge driven by a sense of uncomfortableness, leading to satisfaction after compulsion. ERP is still the treatment but the mechanism at play is a little different from what I remember reading.

Taovryou

Date posted: 13h

I agree. most times it doesn’t feel life or death, and i know logically i don’t need to do it most times but ill still do it anyways. but it does cause me a lot of anxiety. however most of my compulsions are mental like avoidance so i guess i could still say this is correct.

I’m Batman

Date posted: 13h

When people spell Shawn , “Sean or Shaun” or any other way. Not ocd related for me, just bugs me for some reason. 😆 I think I agree with the life or death bit if I am understanding the context correctly. I have always preferred fight for flight. But I think it’s all just phrasing people use. Life or death , do or die, shit or get off the pot. It’s more easy to say one of these instead of , “if I don’t do this compulsion correctly, right freaking now, really really bad imaginary shit that doesn’t really exist but my ocd is convinced does will really happen because I think it will….because I can’t handle the negative feelings is causing me”. So… I just say it triggered a flight or fight reaction so folks get the idea . Oh and moist. Why do folks get so triggered by the word moist? I got yelled at the other day for using the word moist. When did this become a thing?

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