Does anyone else’s Harm OCD have cannibalism as a theme? For example, having a random intrusive thought about eating a human being. Traditionally, the person being in front of you and then the intrusive thought attacks? TO BE CLEAR, I DO NOT WANT TO BE A CANNIBAL NOR WISH TO PARTAKE IN ANY FORM OF CANNIBALISM! Unfortunately, I watched the movie Hannibal Lecter at to young of an age and my undeveloped mind and what ultimately turned out to be OCD/Harm OCD brain; unfortunately had it ‘Stick,’ as they say in OCD language. That being the case, my Harm OCD evidently latched onto the theme/movie and my biggest fear would be ever becoming a cannibal. And those of us with OCD in general/in this case Harm OCD; it attacks our biggest fears and goes entirely against our morals, values, etc. I’ve honestly never voiced this in any public forum before and have only spoken about this in private with my NOCD therapist, but I feel that exposing this and ‘Letting go of it,’ in a sense will truly start the healing/recovery process. Any/all feedback would be greatly appreciated! Sending love, compassion and support to all those battling the monster that is OCD (Harm) 💌

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@ocdissucky Hi, my apologies on the delayed reply! Hope all is well :) Truthfully speaking, it’s not at all even remotely comparable to when I posted this three years ago and that God I’m where I’m at in my recovery and remission and especially pertaining to this topic 🙏 However, it’s been a process to get this point since then 💯 A lot has changed in my life from three years ago and posting this specific post. From therapy types that I’ve been in, being vulnerable with my overall OCD in general and ultimately facing it all subtypes, triggers, etc. wise head on! This specific topic isn’t ever pleasant for me to have come up, be reminded of, etc. but I not take it with stride and grace. I’ve even come as far as watching the trailers for movies like Hannibal, etc. and even toyed with the idea of watching the movies as well. I haven’t yet, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t in the future. For example, I just watched a movie last night from 2006 called “The Hills Have Eyes” and didn’t even think twice about it and am entirely unbothered by having watched it after the fact. Very different from the main character in Hannibal (Dr. Lector) and overall storyline, but cannibalism is in the movie none the less. I hadn’t seen it since my teens and distinctly remember having watched it when I did and found it to unsettling back then as well, but on a surface level. Never to have imagined what that topic would have become and ultimately having my unknown and undiagnosed OCD and specifically Harm subtype be as triggered and attacked by the topic many years later. Ultimately, as scary as it can be and trust me when I tell you; I know all too well, it’s 100% possible to face the topic head on and overcome it! Not saying that it won’t still be unsettling for you (and that’s honestly a good thing in my opinion), but not allowing it to continue to control you, overwhelm you, etc. Hope this helps! Sending you the strength, positivity and hopefulness to overcome this 💪