Date posted: 4y ago

This is just my opinion, but I’m starting to think ocd is a symptom if a much deeper issue within us. Whenever I seem to do erp, if I do happen to do it correctly and the fear goes down, it’s just a matter of time before it switches to something else again. Does anyone else think this too?

Perfectionism OCD

Date posted: 4y ago

Typically there’s always something else that accompanies ocd like low self esteem or ptsd. Ive has emotional trauma and neglect at a young age and I feel like it contributed to ocd or may have even caused it. I wasn’t born with perfectionism, I learned it as a coping mechanism like spacecowboy said. That way I can feel in control.

paynasty

Date posted: 4y ago

I experience the same phenomenon; my OCD always re-emerges around a new set of issues, although my pure O OCD has never gone away. Some of my newer OCD subtypes come and go with exposure, but my deepest, darkest intrusive thoughts always remain. I think there is more than just OCD at play. I think it's a lack of self-esteem, a rough childhood, and honestly not knowing what my values are. That's what they always say, right, to make values based decisions instead of decisions based out of anxiety and fear. But if you don't know what your values are, then at best you come up with superficial band-aid solutions.

Date posted: 4y ago

Thank you for the response. I need to know my values, bcs I can’t say them at the top of my head.

mrspacecowboy

Date posted: 4y ago

I don't know if its the same for everyone, but thats true for me. I started to develop ocd as a sort of twisted coping mechanism for some other stuff in my life, so I think it cam be true for some people.

Date posted: 4y ago

Yeah, someone here told me searching for the root cause can be a compulsion though. I don’t know how as how would that be a bad thing? It doesn’t make sense, if you want to feel better you have to heal the root cause right

Carl Cornett

Date posted: 4y ago

Why would that mean there’s a much deeper issue?

Date posted: 4y ago

I replied below

Isidora

Date posted: 4y ago

I actually agree with this, but it is probably different for everyone. What truly helped me was resolving my trauma and learning to cope with my feelings. When I solely focus on getting ERP, I easily get rid of one intrusive thoughts, but another, unrelated one emerges. For example, I might confront my fear of dying, but then get fear of sex, then fear of torture etc. I believe that if this is the case, we might have comorbid disorders. I have been diagnosed with OCD comorbid with MDD and GAD.

Date posted: 4y ago

Yeah, fear is a pretty complex thing to understand. I seriously still think all of this could be related, likely something from our childhood. I’m a Scorpio, so I won’t stop until I get to the deepest wound possible and heal it no matter how hard it is, cause what do I got to lose. I feel your pain going through all these symptoms. 😔 I know if you keep going you will come out on the other side stronger. Don’t let these diagnosis get you down. Say you are going through them, you are not them. Keep doing what you’re doing in erp and thatl help you recognize the chatter in your mind and shut it down quicker

Anonymousssssss

Date posted: 16w ago

Do you have to do erp?

I’ve noticed that I’m somewhat happier also ignoring my thoughts than I am instead of doing compulsions (I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired atp) but I’ve heard you’re technically supposed to do erp rather than pushing under the rug. But idk if I have a thought I just refuse to think about it again and im fine even if I want to do compulsions

Mika05

Date posted: 12w ago

Ocd pattern

Sometimes I notice my intrusive thoughts cause me to spiral and sometimes not. I've been practicing ERP for quite a while so it's a bit easier for me to not spiral. But I wonder why that happens. Does anyone else have it? Also I'm on medication idk if that plays a role.

nae nae

Date posted: 12w ago

CSA + fear of becoming like abusers

Does anyone else struggle with this? It's been the main thing powering my POCD, and it's only been getting worse. Especially when I see posts online of people sharing their personal stories relating to CSA, specifically grooming. It's so triggering now, but before this theme developed, the most I'd feel while reading posts like that would be disgust targeted towards people who did those things. Now, my first thought is, "What if I do something like that one day? What if I've done it before and I don't remember or didn't know I was doing it?" I have many, many different intrusive thoughts or worries related to this theme, but it all circles back to this specific fear that I'll become like the people who hurt and took advantage of me. Does anyone have advice for this? I'm not sure if I've asked a similar question in the past or not, but is this something I need to deal with separately before beginning ERP for OCD? I'm just curious and also lost on where to begin with all of this. I'm just glad I'm able to begin working through all of these issues now, rather than later in life when I'd probably have a lot more responsibilities. Anyways, any feedback is appreciated! 🤍

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This is just my opinion, but I’m starting to think ocd is a symptom if a much deeper issue within us. Whenever I seem to do erp, if I do happen to do it correctly and the fear goes down, it’s just a matter of time before it switches to something else again. Does anyone else think this too?

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