Has anyone successfully treated avoidance as a compulsion without being able to identify the obsessions behind it? I’m a few decades into OCD and understand rationally that the obsessions and compulsions aren’t related in reality so I stopped performing compulsions/engaging obsessions over time and slowly descended into this prison where I can’t and don’t do anything.

Lms526

Date posted: 4y

I feel you. I've lived with OCD for over 30 years and never knew it until about 3 months ago. Avoidance is a huge compulsion for me. The best way to overcome it is to push through and do it. Even if you are terrified, even if you have what ifs. Just decide you aren't going to allow OCD to bully you anymore and do it anyway.

Eponymous

Date posted: 4y

That doesn’t work for OCD. Just pushing through and doing something reinforces OCD in the long term.

Lms526

Date posted: 4y

@Eponymous Not true. Doing a compulsion reinforces OCD. I'm talking about doing the thing you are afraid.

Eponymous

Date posted: 4y

@Lms526 I’m a psychologist and aware of what I’m talking about, although I certainly don’t know everything. What I said is true and accurate.

EightiesGirl

Date posted: 4y

@Lms526 is right. I'm also a major avoided. Pushing through and "doing it scared" is the only way to overcome avoidance OCD. Every time I push through something that scares the heck out of me, the scary thing becomes slightly less scary and slightly easier to do the next time.

EightiesGirl

Date posted: 4y

*avoider

Lms526

Date posted: 4y

Exactly. I have found the same

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