Hey guys! Is confessing your ocd thoughts good or bad

Bad, it is a compulsion so it will only make you feel better temporarily and will not help you with recovery

Okay thanks!

Confessing is a compulsion that will make tie OCD stronger.

Bad. Its a compulsion. You also have to be really careful who you tell. Make sure its someone who has a track record of being supportive and trustworthy. If its someone who has their own mental health struggles even if its not with OVD is even better.

Thank you. I typically only tell my mom as she has an anxiety disorder.

I’m not sure it’s bad per se. depends on why you’re doing it. If you’re seeking reassurance then it’s not good for your recovery. But if you’re telling someone so they know what you’re dealing with at the moment, I don’t see how it would be bad. For example If you told a close friend while you’re driving your car that you are having an ocd moment right now because it feels like you hit someone. And they just nod or show support that you have identified your problem, I don’t see how this would give in to any compulsion. But if you feel like you have to do this every time you have an ocd thought then that sounds more like a compulsion. But if you’re doing it because you want the person to know that at the moment you are dealing with this, and that you just need the support for them to understand this is what’s going on, I don’t see how that is a problem.

That's a very good point. I never thought of it like that. Its all about motivation

@Lms526 Yes exactly

I see. That makes a lot of sense. I’ll make sure that I’m mindful of my motive. I’m trying to decide if I should tell my mom about a harm ocd/suicidal ocd thought.

@flynnyuh Why do you want to tell your mom? What are you hoping to gain from it?

@Sasha Sorry for the late reply! I don’t want to be of any danger to my family or myself. It’s probably for reassurance, but it’s the first suicidal/harm thought I’ve had. Typically they are just harm to others. it’s not ideation as I always blink when I get this thought to avoid it and do NOT enjoy it. I just didn’t know if it was of any concern.

@flynnyuh Ah ok. Yes that sounds like you are looking for reassurance from your mom.

@Sasha Okay thank you. I will not tell her then!

It depends. If you are looking for reassurance or if stops your anxiety around the obsession temporarily then it’s probably a compulsion. The best thing to do is confess to your therapist