I hope this is inspirational

[Sodovka]

I've been managing my OCD ok for a few days now, but this afternoon I got hit very hard--right out of the blue--by an incredibly vicious thought that felt SO real. I began to panic and my mind spun out of control. After about a minute of this, I caught myself, and refused to play the game my OCD wanted me to. By not engaging in that compulsion, by deciding to ignore what my OCD was screaming in my head, I made what could have been a horrible evening into quite a pleasant one. If I can do this, as terrified as I was, we all can do it, every day. So let's pledge to face our fears and not back down, ever, no matter what nonsensical horrors our minds throw at us.

[Guest nervous]

Nice work sodovka! Happy to hear about someone making some gains on OCD. It is a nice feeling when it actually works the way it was supposed to. Try and remind your self of these successful times when things are not going as well might help you get through. :original:

[stopthinking]

The mind can be a very unpleasant place with a lot going on but we don't have to listen to it if we can stay in the present moment like meditation we can master it , we don't have to listen to the mind just let it ramble on it certainly isn't always telling the truth , mindfulness is really helpfully for this well done .

[Sodovka]

Thanks, nervous and stopthinking. I really like what you both wrote. Nervous, I'm doing exactly that today--reminding myself how I stood up to the OCD bully yesterday so I can keep doing that today and as far into the future as necessary. Stopthinking, mindfulness is the other part of the solution. Once I've decided not to do any compulsions, the next thing to do is to get back to life, back to the present, and not waste a single moment more creating suffering for myself. Be well and thanks for responding!

[PolarBear]

I'm a firm believer that we choose to perform compulsions, mostly because it's the easy way out. In this case you chose not to engage the thoughts and get on with your day. It's a simple thing to do but it's at the core of how to get past OCD. Well done.

[Sodovka]

I'm a firm believer that we choose to perform compulsions, mostly because it's the easy way out. In this case you chose not to engage the thoughts and get on with your day. It's a simple thing to do but it's at the core of how to get past OCD. Well done.

I think you may be right, PolarBear. I had a similarly scary blast of obsession again today and I started my typical stream of overthinking/panic. Maybe the first compulsion sometimes slips by before we realize we've done it, then when we catch ourselves, as I did just now, we make the choice to ritualize or not. The key is identifying the ritual and choosing the path that doesn't come naturally. But that path leads us out of suffering.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Sodovka

[gingerbreadgirl]

I've been managing my OCD ok for a few days now, but this afternoon I got hit very hard--right out of the blue--by an incredibly vicious thought that felt SO real. I began to panic and my mind spun out of control. After about a minute of this, I caught myself, and refused to play the game my OCD wanted me to. By not engaging in that compulsion, by deciding to ignore what my OCD was screaming in my head, I made what could have been a horrible evening into quite a pleasant one. If I can do this, as terrified as I was, we all can do it, every day. So let's pledge to face our fears and not back down, ever, no matter what nonsensical horrors our minds throw at us.

Brilliant job, Sodovka x

[Sodovka]

Thanks, gingerbreadgirl!

[PolarBear]

I think you may be right, PolarBear. I had a similarly scary blast of obsession again today and I started my typical stream of overthinking/panic. Maybe the first compulsion sometimes slips by before we realize we've done it, then when we catch ourselves, as I did just now, we make the choice to ritualize or not. The key is identifying the ritual and choosing the path that doesn't come naturally. But that path leads us out of suffering.

It's also very important not to kick yourself in the butt for starting with a compulsion. It's okay. When you do catch yourself, stop, take a breath, refocus onto something else. It's okay. You don't have to be perfect to beat OCD, you just have to keep on trying.

[bruces]

Everytime you don't perform a compulsion it's a positive,there are times when you let your guard down and it gets you,but losing a battle doesn't mean you've lost the war,regroup and reload

[Sodovka]

Everytime you don't perform a compulsion it's a positive,there are times when you let your guard down and it gets you,but losing a battle doesn't mean you've lost the war,regroup and reload

Thanks, bruces. I am still trying to accept not being perfect in my fight against OCD but that's hard. I feel like if I slip up at all, I will fall down the rabbit hole and be unable to climb back out. That sounds like catastrophic thinking, doesn't it?

[taurean]

It does sound that way.

But you now know that CHOOSING not to panic, determining to nip an OCD intrusion in the bud by not listening to the meanings, not carrying out the powerful urge to compulse, and then refocusing away, CAN be done.

And what we achieve once, we can and will do again.

Great that you shared this experience, which will give a lead technique and hope to others.

Edited August 6, 2015 by taurean