David R
- Date posted
- 4y
pammyypammyy
- Date posted
- 4y
The compulsion of figuring it out only fuels the obsession. So allow the irrational thoughts. It’s hard, I know!
pammyypammyy
- Date posted
- 4y
Another thought: Accept and don’t fight irrational thoughts. Welcome them, laugh at them! Sometimes I’ll say to myself, “yep, that’s totally going to happen! And, I could get mauled by a bear on my walk.” Both are just as likely. Humor works really well with me. You can’t think logically when you are afraid. They are just thoughts! The more we fear our thoughts and the scenarios the mind comes up with, they more frightening they become. That’s the power of a creative mind. Instead, use your creative mind to do something physical - get out of your head and concentrate on the body/action.
David RDavid R
- Date posted
- 4y
I do my best, it’s just hard sometimes you know? Especially I feel with the concept of losing your reality or being psychotic. But I really do Try!!! Thanks for the kind words friend. I hope you are well.
pammyypammyy
- Date posted
- 4y
@David R People who are psychotic don’t worry about becoming psychotic. Whenever you catch yourself thinking “feels like” that’s anxiety. That’s reassurance, but it sounds like you are struggling. And sometimes we need to hear the truth. Are you on any medication or talking with a therapist? Also, get on an exposure plan. I have this theme too and my exposures are to read an article about schizophrenia every day. It was incredibly scary at first, but I’m finding that the exposures work. In addition, I’m working on not engaging in mental compulsions around this theme. Evaluating, checking, worrying, reassuring myself it can’t happen, etc. remember ocd is irrational! You’ll never win the “what if” game. You’ll convince yourself you are okay and that it would never happen only for another what if thought/scenario being presented. This is a “court case” you will never win.
David RDavid R
- Date posted
- 4y
@pammyy No meds, tried therapy but my therapist didn’t understand what I was going through I guess. Said it sounded like I had ocd but conquered it, doesn’t really feel conquered to me.
pammyypammyy
- Date posted
- 4y
@David R I would consider eithe or both! Have you tried a NOCD therapist? Might be worth trying.
David RDavid R
- Date posted
- 4y
@pammyy My last therapist was a NOCD therapist and yea I have considered meds, I’m just scared of them making me worse
woeismewoeisme
- Date posted
- 4y
I'm going through this exact hell right now, someone relates! What compulsions do you abstain from??
David RDavid R
- Date posted
- 4y
My main mental ones are saying no, xyz isn’t happening. I feel like if I don’t say it then I believe the shit I’m thinking. Saying “that’s a schizophrenic thought” rumination etc. then you gave the googling schizophrenia and stuff
pammyypammyy
- Date posted
- 4y
I would suggest daily exposures around this theme. Get on a plan and do it everyday until your are sick of the content. You need to address the fear of this illness just like someone who fears cancer, aids, etc. someone how fears a brain tumor is going to experience headaches. This is much the same. Allow the “symptoms” to happen and stop not engage in the compulsion. Sounds like you are doing better with the compulsions, but I think adding some exposure will help too. Until you address the obsessive fear, the habit of judging, checking and analyzing thoughts will persist. Stop caring about them and they will decrease in frequency. I’ve been on an SSRI since my 20s (I’m almost 52). It helps manage the anxiety and ocd. It may not be for everyone, but for me, it helps!
David RDavid R
- Date posted
- 4y
I will! Thanks for the advice!
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