What is the correct response to intrusive thoughts? Of course I know that you must avoid compulsions but what is a good mental process? Like, 'Okay whatever', or 'It's just an OCD thought', or 'Mm Hm disregarding'. What should you kind of say mentally?

199903

Date posted: 5y

Non engagement responses are really good. They focus on aknolwedging anxiety, difficulty, uncertainty, and possibility. So you usually respond using a combination of those. So if you have the thought for example “what if I’m in denial and I’m a serial killer” you could respond with “maybe I am, maybe I’m not. Anything’s possible”, or “I’m feeling pretty anxious at the thought of being a serial killer”, or “yeah, that would really suck”. I hope this helps!

irish_and_ocd

Date posted: 5y

Thank you so much everyone that's really really helpful!

Kaelyn

Date posted: 5y

I had a therapist tell me to acknowledge the thought and then dismiss it. She told me to say like ‘I’m doing something right now, but I’ll deal with you later.’ Kind of like switching channels on a TV. Although I’m not perfect at it either.

SilverArman

Date posted: 5y

There is no right answer in my experience.. Like all of them are right for dealing with ocd but the tricky part is not showing reaction... When my mind is open and im not dealing with anxiety its just an ocd thought really work but if im sleepy and stuff or im in public okay "ok whatever" works better... Try yourself and see what works for you... If you are not showing reaction its okay in my opinion :)

Dude01

Date posted: 24w

How do you deal with "undefined" things?

So I think what's been so specifically tough for me (idk if this is what others go through with the real event stuff) is that ... Well I basically have this mental system... - Something has been dealt with -- which means it's "ok" it's "acceptable" assessment of ___. Rumination to "problem solve" with the intrusive thought. - CONSTANT inquiries to Challenge that previous assessment conclusion i.e. "no that hasn't actually been deal with, you didn't think about ____ or this other angle or this other new thing related to it" etc. Idk how tf you fix that with ERP? Idk up from down at this point Is the "system" OCD? Should people not try to problem solve (even though it's actually rumination)? Should I not engage with the "challenges?" HOW TF does Peace of Mind actually happen when the answers seem to be "you must be delusional" or "you must leave (significant) things un-dealt with / open ended" Like, what's that actual solution here? Hopefully this made sense. Thanks

Real Events OCD

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

nae nae

Date posted: 17w

"I am" statements?

Is it okay to use "I am" statements when intrusive thoughts come up? I'm afraid of telling myself the wrong things and it becoming a compulsion. If anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it! 🤍

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What is the correct response to intrusive thoughts? Of course I know that you must avoid compulsions but what is a good mental process? Like, 'Okay whatever', or 'It's just an OCD thought', or 'Mm Hm disregarding'. What should you kind of say mentally?

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