erinandem522@gmail.com
- Date posted
- 5y
ocdillustratedocdillustrated
- Date posted
- 5y
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
erinandem522@gmail.comerinandem522...
- Date posted
- 5y
Okay, but isn’t trying to escape an unwanted thought the same thing as trying to improve a moment? I’m a little confused.
ocdillustratedocdillustrated
- Date posted
- 5y
@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)
FathomableFathomable
- Date posted
- 5y
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.
AdversWarriorAdversWarrior
- Date posted
- 5y
I don't think it is, activities that give you pleasure are good for your mood and your Health.
erinandem522@gmail.comerinandem522...
- Date posted
- 5y
Okay, thanks!
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Estelle_11
- Date posted
- 20w
What is correct ERP for mental compulsions?
If your mind purposely keeps fetching a repetitive word, and you’re afraid it will never go away, is the ERP therapy to STOP the mind from doing it? Or ALLOW the mind to do it, and not react? Also, is repeating a word in your head a mental compulsion? Or would that be the obsession? So then what’s the compulsion? Posting on here? Lol
Nova2025
- Date posted
- 19w
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Curious.... the news has been terribly distressing for me and has stirred up OCD. Compulsive rumination and checking (news stories) are my go-to when OCD is triggered. Today, I purposely did not listen to my news podcast as I do every morning. I feel better-ish. Is this avoidance, or is this self care? Would continuing to listen to a podcast be exposure with response prevention applied to the compulsions that go with it? Thanks in advance!
baukje
- Date posted
- 17w
Is this compulsive or helpfull?
Often I listen to podcasts or audiobooks. Sometimes fiction, sometimes about ocd or anxiety. I did this before i got so consumed with ocd again. But no i am doubting myself if i do this to distract myself. I do it while doing chores or when I put on my make-up for example. And I have to admit it helps me to get distracted from my thoughts. How do you know when you do it to distract your thoughts (as a compulsion) or just because you like it? When do you know it is helpfull or not?
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