- Username
- erinandem522@gmail.com
- Date posted
- 4y ago
It depends what your intention is. If your intention is to "get rid of" or escape the unwanted thought it emotion, that's a problem. Using distraction that way, especially if you stop doing what you were doing to switch to the new activity, quickly becomes compulsive. If your intention is to improve the moment while you have the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, or to engage in the activity to prevent you from doing mental compulsions, that's a positive
Okay, but isn’t trying to escape an unwanted thought the same thing as trying to improve a moment? I’m a little confused.
@giraffe522 Not quite. It's the difference between doing something enjoyable instead of something you fear (ex: my schoolwork triggers my OCD, so I'll play angry birds instead) vs doing something enjoyable in addition to the feared task (listening to your favorite musician's album while you do your schoolwork)
It's good to keep up positive and healthy activities as regular habits. If you tend to do them at times when you're trying to get rid of thoughts and feelings you don't want, it's probably an avoidance compulsion. Even for people without OCD, maybe they find playing video games fun and relaxing. But if it's their go-to when they're supposed to be doing homework which is making them anxious as they're scared of failing, that's when it's being used as avoidance and isn't healthy, it's maladaptive. It's better to process those feelings and get to doing what they need to do. Also as in this example, compulsions can often create self fulfilling prophecies.
I don't think it is, activities that give you pleasure are good for your mood and your Health.
Okay, thanks!
Do you think that me saying to myself, “these are ocd thoughts, they aren’t true at all” a compulsion??? It makes me feel better like more relaxed but I am worried that maybe it is just a compulsion...But it can’t be I don’t think, bc it is the absolute truth. That is what ocd is. Intrusive thoughts that aren’t real or true about yourself. Thoughts??
Hey guys I have some questions on OCD recovery. I just get confused on what to do, like some people say to distract yourself when the thoughts come in, others say to think it harder or on purpose or something. Are some forms of distraction better, like exercising and not forcing distraction. A thought can get stuck in my head for a while and I’m not really sure how to distract from it, do I just let it be there while doing something else like the exercising or drawing? I just need some advice. Any techniques you have for recovery will be much appreciated ? Thanks in advance!
Is accepting the thoughts but trying no to get scared by them even if they are scary and cause me anxiety a compulsion? Like I m accepting them but I m trying no to be scared of them so I don’t get the anxiety but I still get the anxiety
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