- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
I used to negate those thoughts and ruminate all day to the point where I couldn’t function. I now resist repeating those thoughts like “I don’t want to hurt myself/others” because it’s a compulsion and keeps me in the ocd cycle. Ever since I’ve stopped doing those compulsions the intrusive thoughts have stopped and are barely there :)
hi! i'm the same way except i ruminate like "you wouldn't hurt anyone because __" or "you've never hurt anyone before". i've learned to let the thoughts flow better so i'm not struggling as much anymore (although i've never been diagnosed with ocd it may just be my anxiety and intrusive thoughts), but at first when i wouldn't ruminate i would get SO anxious because i would think that meant that i was agreeing with the thoughts. over time you learn that not ruminating is a lot better even though it may make you feel more anxious at first!
Thank you for your feedback! And by not ruminating; you mean by bluntly not paying any mind to not carrying out any mental reassurance/compulsion pertaining to the Harm OCD in Pure O?
yes exactly! like at first (still is but not as hard) it was really hard because i would ruminate by saying these phrases in my mind without noticing because it became a habit but then whenever i noticed myself saying these i would immediately stop. of course it will feel uncomfortable at first but it really works in the long run :)
I used to ruminate a lot, all day every day...harm and pureO and still fall into the trap sometimes...but not for nearly as long. I'm seeing an NOCD therapist now, but if you're looking for some good advice, check out Ali Greymond on YouTube...but make sure you don't turn her videos into a reassurance compulsion lol. She helped me SO much, and I still listen to her every morning while I walk my dogs.
I used to. Rumination is a voluntary act, it’s a compulsion. Try as hard as you Can to stop it, because you can.
Thank you all for your feedback and advice, it’s greatly appreciated!
Does anyone imagine they are doing their harm thoughts during an action, making you feel like you acted on your thoughts? For example, someone gave me a hug and at the last second I imagined I was touching something I shouldn’t during the hug? I want to make it clear it’s something I have zero desire to do! But the problem is, I thought it on purpose and it makes me sick !! Obviously nothing happened but my mind is telling me that was me trying to do it. Even though it was physically impossible to do. Am I a monster or could this be OCD? I’m freaking out and don’t want to be here anymore. I feel like I’m the exception and that this isn’t OCD. I know I post about this stuff a lot but I’m struggling and don’t know what to do.
There are times my harm ocd has me convinced that my feelings of self harm or suicide and harm are real and that any moment I could commit the act on myself or my family. Is there anyone who can chime in on this. I feel like all the time I want to leave run away or avoid my family because of these thoughts. Like I shouldn’t be around my children and I don’t trust myself.
Hey so a couple months ago (7-8) I remember being upset at my family member. Like she was talking too much while I was annoyed and remember wanting her to be quiet. I got an intrusive thought like a really bad image of doing something really bad to her, and my hand twitched to the side a little? Like it felt like I was about to?! And I remembered thinking "if I do this, I'll get in trouble". I got up and left to the bathroom and felt horrified! I was thinking "did I want to act out? Did the only reason I didn't act out was because of getting in trouble? If there was no consequences, would have I done it?! Does this mean this whole time I've been using OCD as an excuse?" I remember I couldn't sleep for 3 nights because of how bad the anxiety was, I was crying and I felt very guilty like I should turn myself in to a mental hospital. I couldn't eat for many days or be near her because of that thought and twitch I had! I'm worried it was an impulse or I actually wanted to hurt her. And even to this day I still ruminanate about this. Like last night I couldn't sleep well I kept waking up every two hours and asking myself "am I capable?" I couldn't eat last night. Sometimes I move on from it like I forget that happened but when I remember, I feel distressed about it! I don't want to be an evil person or do bad actions towards anyone! I'm even scared to be angry because of this because I'm scared I have more "chance" of acting out due to anger. Like was it an impulse and I held back? Is this even OCD? Please help, I'm really scared!
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