What’s the best way to respond to an ocd thought? I think my current one is becoming compulsive.

That’s good advice thank you. I’ll try it from now on

Thank you this is great! I’ve already reacted to all my current thoughts, would you say that means it won’t work on those? Either way I will try this with my future ones!

@HS369 Just because you have “reacted” to the thought previously does not mean it can’t be addressed. That small gap of time always exists (with every thought and related reaction). You ALWAYS have that gap regardless of whether you reacted previously. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GAP NOW NY NOT REACTING OR ATTACHING MEANING TO THE THOUGHT. One thing I have done is to make a resolution with myself whereby I agree that I will not react or attach meaning. Regardless of what OCD says to me I will choose to not react or attach meaning. It is super hard sometimes but if you stick to it the thoughts will dissipate. One more thing: in my opinion, every time we react to the thought we are simply strengthening that neural pathway and over time it may become harder to rewire. But I strongly believe that does not elongate our ability to rewire the circuitry (just makes it more difficult). I have had OCD for 35 years (I am an old guy) and I can assure you that this method has worked for me on ocd topics that I have obsessed about fir 25 years. Keep moving forward and tell OCD that it is done having control abs you will not react or attach meaning. Good luck!!!🍀👍 I

@M Thanks that is amazing. I’ve been trying it for the past two days and it’s actually worked really well so thank you!

@HS369 That makes me happy!!! Great job!! I have found that there will be moments where it seems almost impossible to not react or attach meaning. It is in those moments that it is CRITICAL to focus on the breath. Breath in slowly and exhale slowly. And resolve to yourself with every breath that you will NOT react or attach meaning. One way I do this is to say “May I find peace” on the in breath and say “May I be free” on the outbreath. For some reason if I do this slowly with an absolute focus on the breath it allows me to find a “center” where I can more effectively NOT react or attach meaning. And constantly resolve in your mind that you will NOT react regardless of how sneaky OCD becomes. Resolve that it will no longer control your reaction abs you revoke its power. Finally, I also find that by focusing on the breath you can also focus on how your body feels. Ask yourself the question: “How am I experiencing this in my body?” This helps because your body is always in the present moment (whereas the mind tends to reside in the past or the future). By focusing on the breath AND the body you bring yourself to the present moment (the “Now”) and it’s much easier to realize that our fears and doubts are usually just based on past and future thinking. I like to say that most of our “problems” are based on OVER-thinking and being grounded in the breath abs the body calms that aspect of the mind. Ke

@M I really do appreciate these long replies they have provided some great advice. It has been working quite well so far.

@HS369 I am glad you find it helpful.😁 Good luck 🍀👍

@HS369 Just thinking about our conversation and wondering how you are doing?

@M I’m doing quite well I think! The technique has been working, I haven’t been able to do it straight away with all of my thoughts but I have with a few. And when I don’t it usually works even if I have been ruminating on it for a little while- just harder.

I’ve tried that a couple times it does work 😂