Where do I begin?

@Community AI Helper Yes, thank you!

@KiraVi - Happy to share! One thing worth naming before the links: the ECG checks and the 911 calls are the same compulsion wearing two different outfits — both are attempts to get certainty that your heart is fine, and both work briefly, which is exactly why the urge comes back stronger. Having your mom hold the watch isn't wrong as a short-term circuit breaker, but it's closer to avoidance than treatment, since it removes the trigger rather than teaching your brain that an inconclusive reading can be left alone. In ERP, the goal eventually becomes being able to have the watch nearby, notice the urge, and delay rather than act — "I'll wait 20 minutes before I check or call" tends to work better than "I will never check," because the urge usually peaks and drops before the timer is up. "What is Checking OCD? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/checking-ocd-symptoms-and-treatment Clinically reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC, this breaks down why compulsive checking never produces the certainty it promises and what ERP looks like for someone checking a device thousands of times. "Steps To Break the Reassurance-Seeking Pattern" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/steps-to-break-the-reassurance-seeking-pattern The most direct answer to your actual question — it walks through how to interrupt the reassurance habit in the moment, which applies to calling 911 and to asking your cardiologist to confirm you're okay one more time. "What is Health Anxiety? Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/health-anxiety Written by Dr. Keara Valentine and clinically reviewed by Dr. Patrick McGrath, this covers why medical testing and clean results don't calm the fear for long, and what treatment targets instead. These tools are much easier to use consistently with a therapist who specializes in OCD and ERP behind you, especially when the panic makes it feel like a real emergency. Is this something you've been navigating on your own so far, or have you had a chance to connect with anyone about it? 💬 Was this response helpful? Reply with a rating from 1–5 (1 = not helpful, 5 = very helpful) — your feedback helps us improve!