I have severe Pure O. It’s around my OCD thoughts themselves (OCD about OCD). I can’t stop noticing my thoughts - 24/7 - and it brings me deep anxiety. I fear my life is to be lost to this looping existence and the longer this goes on the more evidence accumulate that this is true. My compulsions include deep rumination about the problem, Googling, buying books on OCD and well, doing posts like this. I’m with an OCD specialist who specialises in ERP. I’ve done a lot of the E but I think I’ve been struggling with the RP. I’ve reduced the active/positive compulsions but I really cannot stop my brain looping and ruminating - which is by far the worst of it. In a situation like this - do I (a) try and stop the thinking/rumination or (b) learn to accept that thinking/rumination? Because I find it almost impossible to do (a) - it tends to get worse when I try and stop it. Any help folks can give would be gratefully received.

You can't "stop" ruminating but you can stop participating in it. When you catch yourself off in thought playing it out, trying to figure it out... acknowledge that... like ahh this is ocd I'm going to let these thoughts be here but I'm not participating. Then return to whatever activity it is that you're doing. The thoughts will play, the anxiety will come, let it. Eventually the thoughts will become quiter, anxiety will lessen and you will catch yourself participating more quickly. Also learn how to meditate. Meditation is soo good and helpful and will teach you how to do exactly what I said above. Because you essentially do the same thing when mediating. You focus on your breathing but when you notice yourself paying attention to your thoughts you again focus on your breathing.

B would be the more ideal solution in this situation. At times I tend to overthink and realize that I’m overthinking and the more I try to ignore the ruminating the stronger it comes on to me. Just accept and continue to go on with your day and without even noticing it, the ruminating will fade on its own. The only tricky thing is once you realize it faded usually it will latch back on, but just continue to accept it and focus on doing more important things. Even watching a show or talking to a friend or family member tends to help and take off some of the tension you may be feeling. Hope this helps, if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

I’ve read several books on Buddhism which I’d recommend doing for anyone that faces any sort of anxiety or distress. Basically what it says is most of us spend most of our time in the past or the future while the present slips right by you. Consistency is definitely the biggest key, the little steps you take everyday really do build up and make the biggest difference. Rather than trying to spend most of your time in your mind, try to find strength in vulnerability by accepting the fact at the moment your not at your best and just strive for little improvement day by day. It really helps me to meditate and just focus on something really beautiful and forget that everything else around you exists for a period of time. Another exercise that helped with my thoughts, was commentating every little action I’m doing as I do it. Even though your still talking in your head it drifts away the attention from your thoughts and focuses on properly commentating the actions your performing.

B is the best and smartest option.

My other compulsion - buying books on Buddhism! Seriously! I have over 60. I find that whenever I try to meditate or be in the present moment or usefully distract myself in any way that is when the OCD is at its loudest and it’s most invasive. I know why - it’s because I *try* when I should be letting go. I guess that’s my ultimate problem. I don’t know how to let things go.