How could thousands of different thoughts in different non related types be ocd

I suggest: maybe don’t worry so much about *who* you are, and instead put that valuable attention toward what you *do.* Go do those valuable and good things, and when that voice tells you, “But, you’re a bad person,” tell it, “I’m sorry, I don’t have to talk about that with you. I’m too busy.”

Thanks for your answers. I want to ask more questions, but I don’t want to come across as “interrogating.” Have you ever had opportunity to talk with a professional about this?

Aw, I’m sorry. That sounds like a hard situation to be in! Ok, thanks. So I’m wondering: you’re concerned you don’t have OCD. But, something drew you to an app for OCD. This suggests to me that there is at least a part of you, at some point in the past, that thought, “Maybe I have OCD.” Will you share more about that?

I’m sorry can you explain?

@peterateff It seems to me maybe you want to know with certainty that you are the kind of person who cares about others. You want to know you are a good person. So, your mind is trying to do you a favor by pointing out *aaaany* exception it can find so that you can “solve” the problem and prove with certainty that you’re a good person. Trouble is, you—like all other people in the world—think some weird stuff. It’s what minds do. And when you train your mind to freak out about those weird thoughts out of fear, your mind freaks out even more the next time it happens . “Peter!! Danger! I think maybe this means you’re a bad person!” And you look at the evidence, and tell your mind, “You’re right!!! It does!” I could be wrong, but that’s what comes to mind when I read your description.

You’re welcome! It’s an understandable question. I’m curious though, why are you concerned it’s a stupid question?

Ok, thanks. I’m not a diagnostician. I personally try not to get hung up on the question “Is it OCD?” I used to. Some therapists told me I didn’t have OCD, which made me think I had to listen to what my mind was telling me and take it seriously, meanwhile, my friends & family were telling me, “Something is wrong. This isn’t normal.” So I try to do instead is: Realize OCD is a spectrum. At t he bottom of it, people have no symptoms. At the top, they have nothing but symptoms. And then there’s all of us in the middle. I have sticky thoughts that bother me. I do mental and physical compulsions to make myself feel better. Both combined get in the way of my life. I have a craving for certainty that paralyzes me. There are other people who are like me and people who treat people like me. They’ve suggested: “Try ERP. Try sitting with uncertainty. Try learning to be ok with not knowing. Try testing to see if you can handle anxiety.” And so I try those, and it helps. Maybe it doesn’t matter so much if I call it OCD, or if some therapist tells me “It’s not OCD.” Hope this helps. Let me know what you think.