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?

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!

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

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.

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 :)