Anyone got any advice for stopping mental compulsions? I’ve noticed that sometimes I’ll just be doing them automatically to prevent the intrusive thoughts in the first place, which then triggers my intrusive thoughts, and sends me down into a spiral of anxiety. I have a interview-type-thing tomorrow and I’m scared that I won’t be able to focus- or worse, I’ll have an anxiety attack during it. I’m starting to go “no, that’s just a thought, we’ve been over this, it has no basis in reality, there’s absolutely no reason to fixate on this” instead of mentally checking and reassuring myself with every single reason, but my thoughts then go to “well are you sure? Why isn’t this possible? What if it is?” I started doing this yesterday, going cold-turkey on the reassurance-seeking (trying to treat it like an addiction, and in my experience weaning doesn’t work, though I’ve never had a real addiction other than caffeine). It’s probably a good sign that they’re doing that, since I’m not giving them as much attention as my OCD would like, but it’s still pretty disabling. Anyone got any tips for getting through this? Maybe just a word of encouragement? Thanks!

zoelol

Date posted: 5y

what you’re already doing is great! i recommend responding with “then it is, so what?” when your ocd asks you what if

Just.a.bean

Date posted: 5y

Thank you! I’ll try that

Makki23

Date posted: 5y

Proud of you! Giving them less attention is good

Just.a.bean

Date posted: 5y

Thank you!! I’m kind of just figuring there’s really no reason TO believe them, and they’re incredibly unlikely if not completely impossible, and I’ve been over the same arguments with my thoughts over and over and over again. (Like a kid throwing a fit in a store- give them a toy and they learn that acting out allows them to get their way. If I stop giving it what it wants, it might scream a bit louder but eventually it’ll learn. Hopefully this metaphor parallels reality haha!!)

Survivor ❤️

Date posted: 5y

One of the NOCD advocates on here has said if you get these thoughts you say maybe I will , maybe I won’t, who cares. They say you have to accept the uncertainty

Makki23

Date posted: 5y

That's scary to do

Just.a.bean

Date posted: 5y

Thanks for the advice. Trying to do that, but it is certainly terrifying (currently Existential themes which play into my spiritual beliefs, so its basically trying to destroy the entire foundation of what I believe is real, including things regarding lost loved ones). Thing is, logically I know it makes no sense and is incredibly unlikely if not completely impossible for my thoughts to be correct, so I feel like I’m agreeing with them if I accept uncertainty, and I have a panic attack. Might be an idea though, and slowly learn to reincorporate my own beliefs back into my life when I am in a place to do so again. Thank you.

dietcoke

Date posted: 5y

im so proud of you for trying not to fixate on them! i had a therapist tell me once that worrying about what might go wrong during an event won't determine whether it'll happen or not. the best thing you can do is not stress about it until the worst case scenario actually becomes a reality. is this difficult? fuck yes. but just the concept of it has helped me calm down quite a few times.

Just.a.bean

Date posted: 5y

Thank you!

Jjss9905

Date posted: 5y

One thing that might help intrusive thoughts that I fould that kind of helped me is when they come, and I know it's really hard (it is still really hard for me too), is instead of start ruminating and wondering "what if they are really true" just let them come, or say "your just fears, so if you want to come just come, your not the reality". I really understand you and I just wanted to sua that your not alone. We're all together in this and we'll be better!

Just.a.bean

Date posted: 5y

Thank you , I’ll try that. Yes! We’ll make it through this! ✊?

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