*TRIGGER WARNING* Hey all, I hope you’re having a good day and know that you’re not alone in this battle against this hellish mental disorder. I just wanted to ask a quick question, not meant to seek reassurance, but rather to seek community and see if my thoughts aren’t as uncommon as I feel they are. If you’re worried about triggering your OCD (for reference, I have Harm OCD, with worries of hurting people I love and random strangers), I ask you not to read this in case you worry about me planting new thoughts for you to worry about. However, any responses would be appreciated. I just have a couple of thoughts that really bother me as of late with Harm OCD. Thought #1: “I’ve never harmed anyone before so how do I know I don’t like hurting people?” Thought #2: “I won’t be able to restrain myself forever.” Thought #3: Moments of my brains shouting “Just do it!” in response to a harmful thought, such as when driving and seeing pedestrians. This also happens when I’m speaking with others, and can include saying offensive things to others as well. I’ve been working with a NOCD therapist for a few months now, and things are definitely better than they were, as I’m functioning better on a daily basis, but I’m still having issues since recovery isn’t a straight line, and I’m currently having a worse spell. I’d just like to have a sense of community. Thanks for reading and I hope you’re doing well, we can all get through this.

Fellow harm ocd sufferer here. Glad you’re getting better. Recovery is not a straight line

Hey Tony!! Thought #3 of yours I totally get. I freak out when my brain has those moments because I go Oh gosh, I must want to do it right? Or Oh gosh, what if I just give in and do it so this stops bothering me. It's garbage honestly. High five to feeling like the next Michael Myers. Ha. I get you a million percent. I'm a Christian - so I'm terrified some how I'll get it in my head to kill my children so they can go to Heaven. I quit reading the Bible in fear that I would take scripture wrong and think God would want me to do that. It is STUPID. When I'm not anxious in that OCD moment I clearly think WTH am I afraid of?! This is absurd! But when you're in the moment and your body is reacting it feels real. I finished my NOCD therapy and I can tell you that it does get better. Loads better. I went to church for the first time in over a year. I've been reading Bible verses again and I am not having as many episodes as before. As much as I hate it, I've come to grips with the fact I'll always have messed up thoughts, but now I'm more equipped to handle them and I don't let them bother me. Besides, we cannot control our thoughts. Only our actions. As much as I hate having these thoughts and this anxiety - I know deep down who I am. I know I'm not alone. I know my brain is a liar haha and bottom line it's not real. Please don't feel discouraged. I came on this forum tonight because I've had a couple of irritating days - I'm glad I came here because it reminds me of my brothers and sisters around the world going through this too. I'm here for you - we all are. There is hope, there is healing, don't get frustrated with your progress. Even baby steps - you're still further than you were yesterday. God bless!

And yes. This community is super amazing