Words mean things

Am I the only person who feels uncomfortable when they read words like “manage”, “cope”, or the decision to claim ownership over OCD? I find it to be so discouraging and it doesn’t align with my personal beliefs of what’s possible for me. I understand these are medical terms. But I don’t want to manage symptoms, I want to transform and transcend. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I’ve been finding it hard to find like minded people in this community. I joined a group call for a moment. Someone expressed that they want to feel like themselves again or feel normal and the host said “I don’t think that’s something that’s possible for people like us but we can manage or cope” I’m paraphrasing of course and maybe I misunderstood. That’s possible, but when I heard that I had to click off. I will be myself and be what I feel is “normal” to me. I hope I’m not alone on an island with this one.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

This may be something that you have to sit with the discomfort of accepting. Intrusive thoughts will probably still come up in the future, no matter how much treatment you do. However, with treatment it becomes a lot easier to ignore them or brush them off. Hopefully, the outcome is that you have more of a “normal” life returned to you because you are no longer spending so much of your time on compulsions. I recommend bringing this up with your therapist. 💕

Tihol

Date posted: 2d

@Anonymous Yeah, I’m not denying intrusive thoughts coming up in the future. Intrusive thoughts are normal and everyone has them. My post was mostly on about my dislike of medical terms like “cope” and “manage”. I don’t agree with using those terms on my journey because they do not align with my beliefs for my life. My goal is to never “stop intrusive thoughts by receiving treatment” because thoughts are normal. My goal is to stop compulsions and accept what I can’t control. That’s a life skill that exceeds beyond ocd recorded. And no I most likely won’t bring this us to my therapist. There’s no need to. I’m really just venting and looking for like minded people…community.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@Tihol I see, I misinterpreted what you meant. I can see how that language could feel kind of defeatist. Wishing you well and hoping you transcend. 🙂

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20h

I understand why those words felt uncomfortable to hear. And I will say, recovery looks different for every person. Most days I don’t feel like I “own” my OCD, but I’ve learned to quiet the noise, to accept thoughts, even welcome them in. I used phrasing like “cope” very early on in my recovery, because I was doing my best to cope during a dark period in my personal struggles. I also don’t agree with the host saying feeling like themselves isn’t possible, but I also don’t know the host or their struggles. You aren’t alone in feeling how you feel. You’re going to learn what wording and tools feel right for you in your own recovery. You’re going to find people you relate to, and define your own life again. I’m sorry if what you heard felt discouraging, but I believe you’ll find what you’re looking for in treatment or recovery.

Tihol

Date posted: 20h

@MichelleV Thank you so much for responding 🤍.

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

You are not the only person who feels that way. I do too. How long have you been doing ERP? I’m brand new.

Tihol

Date posted: 2d

@Anonymous I haven’t started ERP yet. My first therapy session was this week 😬. I’m glad someone can see my pov lol ☺️. I didn’t want to feel alone on that.

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

@Tihol You’re not alone. I hear you. Let’s check in again after things get going. I haven’t signed up with a user name . P

Tihol

Date posted: 2d

@Anonymous Okay. That’s cool.

OCDlikewoah

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 13h

I think those of us with OCD tend to overanalyze all of the things that people say and hyper focus on what those statements mean for us personally. I've had OCD for the majority of my life and while I've gone through periods of great distress, I've had some great times where it barely bothered me at all and I wasn't engaging in nearly as many compulsive behaviors. I've been doing ERP for a couple of years and while I can't say that I've "recovered" I can clearly recognize a compulsion for what it is which helps my setbacks to not be as intense. My OCD loves to bounce around though and find new things to latch onto. Finding acceptance in those moments is helpful for me.

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