- Date posted
- 3y
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
It’s actually because we misinterpret the instrinctual “safety signal”, and interpret it as a desire to act on a thought. The safety signal happens when we try to suppress a bad thought, and so it creates a sense of anxiety and feeling of what it might be like to do the act. The brain is basically processing what we are afraid of and responding by making it feel like we could do it. But in actuality, if you get this urge it means you won’t do it, because it’s a signal that you’re under high distress from it.
- Date posted
- 3y
Is there a way to prevent the urge from arising?
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@PolarisJoy No, that would mean suppression. And suppression is the exact thing that makes it stronger. The only way to weaken the urge is by exposing yourself to the thought without reacting to it. Allowing the thought and feeling to pass, will weaken it. Eventually the urge might go away. But that’s not up to you to decide. It’s not about taking the urge away. It’s about changing our relationship with the urge.
- Date posted
- 3y
@Sasha Spot on. I completely agree
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@Lms526 🙏
Related posts
- Date posted
- 24w
I have been ruminating on why I have been having intrusive thoughts on a specific topic. Anyone know why? Where do they come from? It freaks me out and makes me think that it came from a real memory (I struggle with false memory OCD)
- Date posted
- 22w
Earlier I had what felt like an urge but I’m not sure. I’ve had urges before but this felt different as the object was in front of me (not intentional btw) , I’ve been quite stressed lately and my OCD is latching on to that. I had an urge to harm and within that I had like 2/3 intrusive images that came to mind, I couldn’t rationalise with it, I felt “stuck” when I came out of it I felt scared immediately was trying to work out why I’d even think of doing that & was very upset. A while after I keep getting thoughts like “say your goodbyes it won’t be long until you act out” I cried to my boyfriend and told him everything. How do I know if this was intent vs intrusive urge?
- Date posted
- 11w
Please how can an intrusive thought be distinguished from our own thoughts ?
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