intrusive thoughts without compulsions

hey everyone! i was wondering if anyone else has intrusive thoughts that are really gross and make you uncomfortable but you don’t notice any compulsions. i tried to talk to my therapist about it and they said they don’t think it’s ocd related but idk. whenever i have a thought like this i say in my head “ew ew” a couple times until it goes away or i feel better. sometimes the thoughts distract me because they’re really gross. can anyone relate?

AllisonRojas

Date posted: 23h

Sounds like saying “ew ew” might be the compulsion. If you’re already in therapy and familiar with the ERP process, you can test the theory by resisting saying “ew” next time you get a gross thought. See what happens with your distress level

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 10h

@AllisonRojas thank you so much i will try this!

danny02

Date posted: 23h

Every human being on earth has these thoughts. How are you going to learn to accept this and just leave them alone, let them do their thing and just pass. Reacting with eww eww is compulsion and just teaches your brain it is important and a problem. Learn to not judge thoughts and the uncomfortable feelings or uncertainty that come with it, just let them be.

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 10h

@danny02 it’s so hard to ignore them especially when they come up during situations where that’s the last thing i want in my head. i will try to stop giving them attention. this was super helpful thank you so much!

danny02

Date posted: 9h

@bunny lover :3 - Try not be like I dont want this in my head, be more compassionate to yourself and remind yourself this thought is out of my control and It’s about letting them come and not doing anything about them, they can be there make you feel uncomfortable but you don’t have to engage with them. Learn to be ok with the uncertainty around them. And don’t forget SELF COMPASSION ❤️❤️

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 7h

@danny02 thank you so much for your kind words danny! i will keep this in mind the next time i have one of these thoughts. i hope you have a great day!

Anonymous

Date posted: 21h

If you are thinking about them and trying to solve them it’s rumination. Look into pure O where all the compulsions are mental. I have this.

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 10h

@Anonymous thank you! what’s something that has really helped you with pure o?

Anonymous

Date posted: 6h

@bunny lover :3 Good question. It’s really mostly learning what my compulsions are with a therapist. Mine is rumination and letting the anxiety rise without trying to solve it and letting it go down on its own. I also monitor my symptoms and thoughts which is another compulsion. Sometimes are harder than others when it’s difficult trigger.

moontana

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 19h

These are still compulsions, just mental only, which are really common. It’s hard but let the thoughts be and allow them to pass!

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 10h

@moontana thank you! it feels good to hear that i’m not overthinking this

Loveandocd3

Date posted: 19h

Yes ewww ewww is obviously what it is once reflected and intutivally thought. There are other mental self talk you can use that might redirect your thinking in another way and it’s a four step process - Recognize - agnoliage-accept- refocus If your not even doing anything to refocus on , focus on your breath - anything elce than the spiral of the emotional and mental energy or the initial thought . You can do this - you are worth it

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 10h

@Loveandocd3 thank you so much for your advice and encouragement i really appreciate it!

danny02

Date posted: 8h

@bunny lover :3 - You got this! ❤️❤️❤️

bunny lover :3

Date posted: 7h

@danny02 thank you!❤️❤️❤️

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