is confessing to lessen the guilt a compulsion?

what should I do instead? cuz I can feel extreme guilt coming on

@abby well what I do is, even though it’s very tough, try sit through the guilt. it will be uncomfortable but it’s possible. I haven’t tried this but maybe you could do something that relaxes you or that you enjoy your example drawing a picture or colouring. just remember, you can get through this :)

@emily_444 for example **

@emily_444 okay, because I have this thought that I have a crush on my bf best friend cuz I was looking at her insta and I find it hard to look at her for some reason, then on Christmas day evening my bf was talking about her and the thought suddenly popped into my head saying " you fancie her" and before that I'd been able to deal with my thoughts that day and now Idk what's happening

@abby I’ve been there.. what helped me out was to agree with the thought. I know it sounds horrible but it worked for me. I told myself “yeah you definitely do!” And then my brain realized that I’m not in danger and let the thought go. Now I never think about it :) hope it helps

@still alive Obviously took longer than a day. But by habituation, he thought become powerless

@still alive yeah that's what I'm trying to do, i keep.reminding myself that this will pass and it's not gonna be forever , I'm just scared of feeling guilt

@still alive it's also feelings, like just cuz u feel something towards someone doesnt always mean you like them, but for ocd it isnt like that

@abby You’re still reassuring yourself by saying that it won’t last forever and by justifying that a feeling doesn’t mean you like them though :/ I know it’s hard but you have to really be assertive when you tell yourself that it might be real.. it’s hard but you’ll see that it’s worth it

@still alive I dont want to.do that tho

@still alive what do u recommend I do?

@abby First I think you have to recognize your compulsions (anything you tell yourself that brings you relief from the anxiety). Once you know what they are try to expose yourself to the idea that you might have a crush on her and fight the urge to do the compulsions. The best way to do this (in my opinion) is to enthusiastically agree with the thoughts. Saying things like “I absolutely fancy this person!”. You’ll begin to notice your anxiety begin to decrease because you are taking power away from that thought. I’ll link a YouTube video that really helped me out

@still alive okay, I feel like I'm stuck between getting better and being trapped in the cycle, I don't think I'm.doing it the right way

@abby I feel like this too :/ it’s okay to feel like that. As long as we take 2 steps forward for every step we take backwards. 1% better a day will get us 100% better in 100 days :-) stay positive! You got this

@abby There is no right or wrong way - there is only the process. You can’t do OCD treatment perfectly, it’s truly a daily process. I have had many thoughts that I’m in love with my boyfriend’s roommate. I’ve gone as far as confessing it all to my boyfriend to alleviate my guilt and shame. What I’ve learned is that I don’t need to fix these thoughts. I don’t need to fix my guilt. I now acknowledge when thoughts like this come up and allow them to exist. My therapy has helped me SO much to sit in the discomfort. I still have intrusive thoughts, but I don’t feel controlled by them anymore

@Elklaxox13! thank you:)

@Elklaxox13! do you reckon it would be useful to write out the worst case scenario? to try and lessen the anxiety/guilt

@abby yes, absolutely. it will first raise your anxiety after reading it the first few times but in the long term it will lessen it.

@emily_444 okay, cuz usually when I get a thought I write it down but some people say you shouldn't do that cuz it's a compulsion????

@abby hmm, maybe it is i’m not too sure. when you write down the thought, do you feel relief or less anxious? if you do then it probably is a compulsion for you.

@emily_444 I dont feel much really, I kind of feel less anxious, but most of the time I don't really feel much

@Elklaxox13! Thank you this was really helpful!!