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Can’t stop the compulsions
PolarBear replied to Kcbell92's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
It is entirely an OCD problem. Could there be a crack in a tooth? Sure. Being fixated on it 24/7 is not normal. That is OCD. -
Tips for sitting with discomfort?
PolarBear replied to fionasgirl's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
My advice is don't sit with it. Get up and do something. Go for a walk. Bake a cake. Clean the house. Do something. Doing nothing creates a situation where you are entirely focused on your obsessions. -
I personally have not seen anyone on here say, just stop your compulsions. Maybe it came across as that.
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On holiday feeling overwhelmed
PolarBear replied to SeaBreeze's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
No one will ever say overcoming OCD is easy. -
On holiday feeling overwhelmed
PolarBear replied to SeaBreeze's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Or... you could leave the topic alone, stop asking people here and elsewhere for reassurance. You are hyperfocused on an insignificant thing. It is taking up your time. Where has the 3 hours a day gotten you? Absolutely nowhere. So give it up. -
Does that seem like OCD to you?
PolarBear replied to Netina's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
It's all nonsense made up by your own mind. There are no clean days. There are no dirty days. Just days. Yes, it feels that this is true, but OCD is a master at faking things. And yeah, this is totally OCD. Welcome. -
This won't end until you end it. Accept what is and move on.
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Negative Automatic Thoughts
PolarBear replied to Angst's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Reframing them means you are paying attention to them. Writing them down. Giving yourself reassurance by coming up with an alternative. Does that sound like something you should do? -
Questions about OCD (insight, feelings, responses)
PolarBear replied to floods's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Floods, a little about genuine anxiety. Snowbear is right. Of course it is genuine. Anxiety is anxiety. Obsessions cause distress. Most people label that distress as anxiety. For some, it is fear, guilt, shame, disgust. They're all real emotions. The problem with OCD sufferers is that they have a wonky part of their brain that initiates those emotions at inappropriate times. Without that, sufferers would have a much easier time dismissing obsessions. The combination of an obsession and a jolt of anxiety almost forces you to pay attention. One other thing. Leap of faith... it means doing something without knowing for certain. You keep coming back to, if I only knew for sure... You're not going to. OCD won't let you have certainty. So you take a leap of faith - a commitment to do something without the certainty that it's the right thing. -
Coping with Uncertainty
PolarBear replied to Garfield's topic in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
This is classic OCD. You have a thought/theme stuck in your head (obsession). Your inclination is to solve it/answer the question (compulsion). Your drive is to find certainty. OCD won't let you find certainty. It's the OCD paradox. No matter how hard you try, by doing compulsions, you'll never get to the end. The ONLY way out is to stop trying to solve it/answer the question. Refuse to get into mind debates over it. Quit seeking reassurance. Stop Googling the topic. It is uncomfortable. You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.