Manz
- Date posted
- 4y
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 4y
I’m still trying to figure that out too
Lms526Lms526
- Date posted
- 4y
Having hope is things like "I deserve to be happy. OCD is strong, but I'm stronger. I can reach recovery. It won't be easy, but I can do it." Seeking reassurance is a compulsion. You can reassure yourself or give it to yourself. So I have health OCD. I get majorly anxious about any little change or pain. I also have a lot of anxiety about starting a new medication. So examples of seeking reassurance would be going to the doctor for every little thing. Or googling things like symptoms or side effects. Or asking someone else a question like "Do you think this supplement or medication is safe? Have you ever taken it? What was your experience like? Or if you struggle with something like harm OCD. Doing research about psychopaths or serial killers. Asking a friend or loved one "Do you think I'm capable of violence or injuring or killing someone?" These are all examples of seeking reassurance. A compulsion will always have a sense of urgency. You need to resolve it RIGHT NOW. Does that help?
Smoothie Smoothie
- Date posted
- 4y
Same- I’m sitting here wondering if I’m spending too much time reading community posts for reassurance. We will get thru this and find the “answer” together
Lms526Lms526
- Date posted
- 4y
The key to identifying a compulsion is WHY you do it. If you are saying, thinking or doing something in an attempt to relieve your anxiety, then its a compulsion. Compulsions can be hard to identify and even harder to stop. But the more you do it, the easier it gets. Your OCD will fight you. It doesn't want to lose the control it has over you.
ManzManz
- Date posted
- 4y
thank you for taking the time to reply
ManzManz
- Date posted
- 4y
that makes sense. however sometimes i use the thought "you can do it, you are strong" to shut down the obsessions, which is not sitting with the uncertainty. its making certain that things will be ok. if i botch it i end up ruminating for long explanations of why things are ok or why i can do it. (sometimes my explanations are so ingrained that i dont necessarily ruminate but am automatically aware of previously drawn out ideas, and i am constantly reminding myself). isnt that a compulsion? but it also feels like im giving myself hope which i know is a good thing. 😭
Related posts
Lovemycats02
- Date posted
- 24w
About reassurance?
I’ve heard it’s not good to seek reassurance or give it because it lowers your tolerance to uncertainty. But how do I avoid seeking reassurance when my thoughts and doubts are so bad, I genuinely just don’t know anymore if I’m a bad person or if it’s just OCD? I know I’m supposed to sit with the uncertainty, but how can I do that when the uncertainty has me unable to trust my own brain? Especially when the OCD is real event and POCD? How can I not seek reassurance when I feel so alone and so abnormal and just don’t wanna feel that way anymore? In turn, I see so many people on here struggling so bad and my heart breaks for them. How can I give advice to towers without giving them reassurance and hurting them in the long run?
OutstandingC...
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 24w
What do you guys think?
I see a lot of posts and comments here along the lines of... "the thoughts/urges aren't you -- they're just OCD." Though this is often true and comforting, isn't this just a form of reassurance? The way to beat OCD is by accepting that the distressing thoughts MAY be true/real, a.k.a. "from you" or "not just OCD." By brushing distressing things off as "just OCD," you excuse the thoughts and therefore feel reassured. Obviously it is good to be aware of what OCD does to you and know when you're experiencing a spiral, but crediting all distressing thoughts to OCD is a way of finding certainty about them. What do you guys think of this? Am I right or wrong? This is just the way I think about it, but I see the "this is just OCD" thing so much on here and I often wonder if that is a form of reassurance.
Anony1314
- Date posted
- 21w
Reassurance
Sorry for getting on everyone's nerves by reassurance seeking. I am just struggling and feel like a real P. I just want some help while I wait on my next therapy appointment
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