Do you think that me saying to myself, “these are ocd thoughts, they aren’t true at all” a compulsion??? It makes me feel better like more relaxed but I am worried that maybe it is just a compulsion...But it can’t be I don’t think, bc it is the absolute truth. That is what ocd is. Intrusive thoughts that aren’t real or true about yourself. Thoughts??

Yes. Because you’re reassuring your obsession, resulting in a temporary relief, therefore it is a compulsion. A huge misconception about OCD is that a compulsion is always physical (counting, checking, cleaning, etc.) but it can also be a mental or emotional compulsion. I struggle from a reassurance compulsion and i think that what you’re describing is quite similar. To defend the other side, there is a possibility that recognizing and obsession could be a form of therapy and reduce the anxiety that comes with an obsession. I think it depends on how often you’re using the phrase “it’s an OCD thought...” because that could be what defines whether it’s a compulsion or some sort of overcoming the disorder! Hope that helped!

My pleasure! My reassurance thoughts are after an intrusive thought has passed. I have POCD and i recently just started getting these awful thoughts, and I also have some other types of ocd. Anyways, I work with children as I have for quite some time, it’s such a fun job and I truly enjoy it! But, the POCD has been recently attacking me, and it always tells me that I have hurt either an adult or child (mentally physically) for example if I accidentally touch a child it will say I have molested them or something to that affect... its very harmful and has made me want to quit my career in education. The intrusive thoughts tell me I’m an awful person and then my reassurance thoughts tell me I’d never hurt anyone let alone a child. They help temporarily but after every reassurance compulsion comes severe anxiety that always uses the “what if” statement. It’s like a toxic pattern, i have an awful obsession, try to combat it with a compulsion, then end up in a deeper, darker hole. OCD sucks. And I think reassurance compulsions are deceptive, as they seem useful in the moment, but afterwards they make you feel even worse. Reassurance compulsions are perceived as a way to help recognize ocd but I think (depending on the person) it can harm more than help. Thanks for reading all this. And we will fight against OCD.

Nafisa thank you so much! I will definitely try that technique

But my ocd thoughts are never true. They never are, so it’s not a doubt that’s literally the truth....

You know @nafisa? I’m just wanting a second opinion, all thoughts welcome ?

What are your reassurance thoughts after your intrusive thoughts?

That’s great insight Nafisa. It’s just hard to not use the actual real truth to help my ocd. I would never do any of my ocd thoughts but they tell me I would and they are always so wrong and never true...it’s complicated ?

Diana, I know it’s impossible! And thank you for the comments! But the OCD just makes me believe it so much, that for some reason the reassurance element makes it worse. For example, it will tell me oh you’ve hurt this child and I’ll say “it was by accident.” And then the thoughts will go into “but what if it wasn’t” and then I will literally sit there for hours over analyzing it and overthinking. I think to some degree you’re completely correct. I just think it matters on the person. I think that if you recognize them as intrusive thoughts and it reduces anxiety for a long period then that’s awesome! But for me, personally, recognizing them makes my anxiety 100000x worse!

@nafisa I don’t have POCD but harm ocd so yeah it’s different than the contamination and checking ones bc my thoughts are just so false but I believe them no matter how wrong they are. It’s so hard! Thank you for responding, I guess this was why it wasn’t really getting gone it was just getting better slowly, bc it was a compulsion even though it’s truth I’m using as a compulsion!

Diana, I’m sorry you’re going through this as well! I saw from your previous comment son this post you’re going through harm ocd, and I understand I also struggle with it. It sucks. And you seem so genuine and sweet, and just from briefly talking with you, I have no doubt in my mind you’d hurt a soul. I think people with OCD, sadly are the most gentle, cautious, and caring people. We fixate so much, that we have to be extremely cautious. This is one of the worst mental health disorders out there. You deserve better Diana! And I promise you with the support of myself and others we can all get through this awful disorder.

Diana I think we’d be friends too! And I didn’t know that, but it really does help, kind of like a security blanket! I really hope we get over this disorder and end up like those people, symptom free! We all deserve it! And thank you it’s very difficult, but I’m trying my hardest! You’re an inspiration Diana and thank you for all you’re intelligent insight, and kind words! I believe in you! And if you ever need anything let me know!

@bellarose Thank you! So in essence, it is in reality the truth, ocd thoughts are never true or reflective of your actual personhood. They are never true. But using that truth as a reassurance is misusing the truth?

Thank you for typing that bellarose. But I mean, it is impossible that you are a child molester or molested a child, like your intrusive thoughts are completely wrong so isn’t it the truth to tell yourself that all thoughts relating to your ocd aren’t real??

@Bellarose I’m so sorry you are dealing with this, we are such good people and worry about such terrible things it sucks!!! That helps. So my thoughts are always not true as in they are only trying o scare me to get me to believe them, but using this fact as a compulsion will not help.

You deserve better too! Thank you, I have no doubt we would be friends if we knew eachother - we could vent so much haha! ? what helps me to realize is that ocd is apparently the most treatable mental health conditions out there if you get help for it which is comforting! People who have recovered apparently are symptom free and know how to prevent getting stuck in stressful times which sounds like heaven!!! ? we can achieve this, together!!!! Thank you for your replies! You are doing great work with children, pushing past it, etc., know you are doing amazing despite this it’s impressive!!!

You as well! Even though our themes are different it’s the same. Please do NOT hesitate to message me on this convo I will always respond and always try to help. I know how much of a hell this can feel. Please PLEASE do not hesitate! I will let you know as well!! You are wonderful ???‍♀️??‍♀️

Bellarose12 it’s so hard isn’t it. Feeling like every time I walk past a child in the street I get an intrusive thought. How do you find that being around kids all the time? Does anyone else find that when they try to distract themselves watch a movie etc it makes you more anxious and want to cry because you just can’t seem to focus on any good activity?