Core Fears I keep reading in articles that some say it is really important to know what the core fear is and I keep thinking that i need to get to this to really move forward. This hasn’t been explored much at all in my therapy with NOCD. How do I get down to my core fear and is this really needed? I know my triggers, avoidances and compulsions but I don’t think I really grasp what I am truly scared of. Is it hurting my partner, rejection, embarrassment? Won’t ERP just be prolonged torture until I get to the root of what I’m afraid of so that I can tackle that? Would trying to find my core fear be a compulsion or something worth trying to find out?

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I’m glad that I’ve found this post, because I genuinely believe that the core fear is unbelievably useful to understand - and it was an integral part of my recovery. I’m not a psych expert, but I know that ERP is a specific form of CBT. Identifying ‘core fears’, and ‘deeper meaning’ is associated with psychodynamic psychotherapy, which isn’t as effective as CBT (ERP), and a lot of CBT therapists dislike this type of therapy because it can be ineffective and potentially damaging. That’s very likely why it hasn’t been explored in your treatment! HOWEVER, there are aspects of the psychodynamic theory that I think are heavily overlooked, when they are actually immensely valuable. Here’s two articles by Dr Michael Greenberg speaking about the nature of OCD, and core fears: https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/a-simple-explanation-of-ocd/ https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/the-core-fear/ The second article includes a link to a worksheet that will open up in Google drive. It’s really useful and helped me identify my core fear, and subsequently begin my recovery with ERP with much more effect. If you want to do it and don’t have Google drive, just download it!

Your therapist will help you identify your core fears. And actually, for me, it can differ from obsession to obsession, but usually, my Core Fear is experiencing a permanent feeling of guilt. I have Scrupulosity and my obsessions are all moral concerns — what I’m doing right or wrong. I know God will forgive me but my fear is if I don’t do the right thing, I will forever live with the guilt. I have to face that fear and do ERP and realize when I don’t try to solve it, the guilt passes! :)) Core Fears are important. Your NOCD therapist may help you find them in therapy. Mine does.

Thank you both for your posts and insights. E L, you say you’ve largely overcome your SOOCD theme. Can I ask what core fears were driving this for you?