I understand that acceptance is key to recovery. But any advice on how to accept terrible thoughts about onself or does acceptance just naturally come when you do fewer and fewer compulsions?

outdoorman

Date posted: 5y

I actually call ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) OCT for (Observing Commitment Therapy) I think a lot of people including myself get the acceptance part confused. For example- there’s a cool video on YouTube that explains this theory. Get an apple or any fruit, place it in front of you. Now that’s a good apple, so go ahead and “accept” that apple. Feel any different? Now take a banana and place it in front of you. Now that banana is a bad banana. Now accept that bad banana just like you accept your bad thoughts. Anything? Lol most likely not. Because you’re observing those objects for what they are. Even if they’re good or bad! That’s exactly what we have to do with our thoughts! So when an intrusive thought or feeling arises we don’t want to avoid it but also not put meaning to it either, because thoughts are like clouds they have no meaning. Observe the thought for what is then don’t perform a compulsion. Don’t fidget, look at your phone, avoid, seek reassurance, ruminate(did I react ok) etc. the compulsions are the problem. ERP and ACT are the gold standards for recovery! 😊

Meof3

Date posted: 5y

This is really helpful. Thanks so much. Your apple and banana examples are perfect. Whom do you follow to learn more about ocd? Mark Freeman, Aly greymond, Dr. Jon Hershfield are my favorites but I always want to add more to my list.

outdoorman

Date posted: 5y

@Sunflower 1234 I follow Mark Freeman a lot! He really puts everything in perspective for me. Plus he’s a huge success story. Suffered for about 12 years before recovery!

Paula

Date posted: 5y

I have this problem with acceptance. Like i cant accept te worse case scenario because i have harm ocd against my loved ones

Meof3

Date posted: 5y

People kept saying once you accept the possibility of the thought ocd loses its power and I totally agree. I just dont know how. I can relate to you.

Meof3

Date posted: 5y

Are we supposed to just fake accepting it? I don't think that would work.

Paula

Date posted: 5y

@Sunflower 1234 Im in a bad place right now and this seems impossible. I just dont understand anymore. I just dont, and im so tired

Meof3

Date posted: 5y

@Paula I am sorry to hear. How long have you had ocd? Are you seeing a therapist? Having ocd is draining but hang in there. I can get better. I am not recovered obviously but I am better than a month ago thanks to erp.

luchalysol

Date posted: 5y

I go through this exact thing. My therapist suggested I agree with the thoughts but I just cant bring myself to do that.

Paula

Date posted: 5y

@Sunflower 1234 I have this since february. I took meds but i stopped s week ago. And its bad right now but im still fighting.

Meof3

Date posted: 5y

Are you recovered? I am making good progress probably half way there. Some days are better than others. I love mark Freeman approach to mental health.

outdoorman

Date posted: 5y

I’m probably in the same boat as you. Making good progress. I’m in therapy and practice ERP everyday which can be extremely taxing and annoying. My biggest compulsion is ruminating (I just love to judge myself) lol

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