How do you deal with multiple themes especially newer ones? I was doing my best this morning working on not ruminating on my main theme...then bam a newer theme thats been coming up off and in for a few weeks rammed its ugly head right on in...and now the anxiety is flowing and im finding it hard to not take it seriously

Thinking_Addict

205d ago

OCD can be like whack a mole. Once you manage one theme, it finds another to pester you with. It's good you recognize it as OCD. Ask your therapist what are the next steps. My guess is you will use the tools you have used for your other themes. There is that initial shock of the new theme, which sucks. Like damn, did it really have to go there? It likes to attack what you value.

Niknak9624

205d ago

Does having new themes mean our techniques for treatment aren’t working? Or is it natural?

Aprl2209

205d ago

@Dialup But the main theme still fully has me so I dont think ive let go of any themes

Aprl2209

205d ago

I feel like it just flops like oh you arent feeding into me lets switch to this theme and it just goes back and forth to each causing distress 😵

Lms526

205d ago

I think a lot of people get too hung up on themes. OCD is OCD. How it happens to manifest for you really doesn't matter. ERP isceffective for all OCD regardless of theme. I like to theme of my OCD like a little goblin. It wears different disguises, but underneath, its the same annoying goblin.

blue fleece

205d ago

And little ocd goblins throw a fit when you make progress against it. Trying to be sneaky by switching themes or intrusive thoughts.

Lms526

205d ago

@blue fleece Yep.

NOCD Therapist - Jenna O.

202d ago

Multiple themes can feel so tricky on the surface, but actually, OCD is all about doubt in general. It's called the doubt disorder, afterall. The reality is you sit with uncertainty all the time, eg every time you get in the car you sit with the uncertainty that you could get in a car accident. It's just that OCD does tend to fluster your feathers with certain themes that bother you or get a rise out of you, particularly in areas where you tend to ritualize or care a little more/value things more. The key is to respond the same way, ie with ritual prevention, regardless of how the theme is showing up for you. This is like when my toddler who is 3.5 gets a "no" from me (ie when he asks for a toy, treat he can't have etc) and he goes right to dad. If dad says yes, we've created a monster and lots of new problems. If dad and I stay on the same page (ie you with ritual prevention) then we are good to go.