i’ve found that learning more about OCD is dreadful. like, the more things i realize about myself and my brain, the more i notice the little things OCD makes me do. now anytime i do anything, i find myself wondering if it was a weird compulsion or intrusive thought. anyone have anything to combat this?

Hi, I struggle with just right & protectionism & I really struggled with what you described, especially because sometimes I could do something for 5 min and no big deal and other times that same thing became a massive compulsion and I was stuck for hours in a compulsive loop. So it was so confusing like anything at any time could be a compulsion and then there were the smaller things that weren’t obvious, so ya, this messed with my head pretty good for a bit. Then I realized the best way to determine if it is a compulsion is in the intention. If I am doing something, engaging in a thought, or sharing something out of an urgent need, then most likely it is my OCD. Sometimes I can’t tell my own intention and they best trick I have learned is the “walk away”. After doing something or thinking about something for a little bit, I will take a break and walk away. I will go grab a glass of water, do a small chore- anything. If the walk away makes me really uncomfortable and anxiety, then continuing to engage in that activity or thought right now is totally a compulsion. & if the walk away is no big deal, then I know what I was doing or thinking about was because I wanted to and not compulsive and I will return to the activity or thought Hope that makes sense & hope that helps. 😊

thank you so much! i’m 100% going to try this! <3 hope you’re doing better :)