18 replies to this topic

[Lilymily]

Hello guys,

I'm desperate about my Pure-O. My thoughts always change. When I tackle one thought, I get used to it and know how to tackle it when it occurs again, but there are always new thoughts, which make me really desperate. How to recognise them before paying attention and taking them seriously. How do I know they are only ridiculous thoughts? Can anybody help?

Greetings

[Zee]

Hi Lily and welcome

http://www.ocduk.org/four-steps

Have you heard of this technique? It has helped me so much in regards to various obsessive thoughts.

Zee

[Lilymily]

No I didn't but I will! thank you so much for your help Wish you a good week

[Lilymily]

I saw the video, I have red many books and this informations are not new to me unfortunately.... How do you managed to recognize new thoughts as a compulsion? I am really tired to listen all these same things and I believe that sufferers who make process can help each other better...

[Nik]

Hi,

I have a similar problem as my obsesessional thoughts are always changing so as soon as I am over one problem a new one arises, very frustrating. I think what is important is that we recognise all of these thoughts as OCD. In essence we have to gain as much knowledge about OCD and learn techniques to overcome it when it does arise. I find that now I know how OCD works I can recognise OCD thoughts as they arise or much sooner, instead of doing the mental compulsions which I used to do. As of yet I am waiting for treatment so I'm not sure what is the best way to tackle the OCD but just understanding the problem, the tactics OCD uses and also speaking to others on this forum has helped a lot.

I'm sorry I can't be of much more help but keep fighting, keep educating yourself and eventually you will beat this!

[Lilymily]

No Probs, you helped me

I have a technique in my head that i call cinema. I'm sitting in a cinema and the thoughts are an horror movie. When we watch horror movies we are also afraid, but we are not living in this film. So I let the film start and wait until the end in my mind. Sitting in the movie. This technique worked very well, until a thought pops in: Maybe it is a compulsion you do? (My anxiety level really decrease, when I imagine this scenery. I don't think something, just let the movie continue till the end.) I heard that such techniqes can develop into a compulsion. That is why I asked this question.

Edited by Lilymily, 19 July 2012 - 05:36 PM.

[Nik]

Hey,

I see what you are saying but I'm not sure if that would work for me as when I have an OCD episode the thoughts just seem so real and I can't see them ever dissapearing. Having said that the thoughts do dissapear eventually but I think it's more about the anxiety levels associated with the thoughts going down more than anything else. I think anything you do to neutralise the OCD thoughts can develop into a compulsion, it's always better to deal with the OCD directly!

[Lilymily]

If it does help you: First I recognice the thought. If I fear the thought and I ask what If question not because of curiousity but because of fear, than I know it is an Obsession why should I fear something which could be an important issue about me. Then I stop asking myself and say: Ok maybe it is like than, it's okay. You see, everything is all right. Fear is never harmful. It is made for us to protect us. But if you fear the fear, then it becomes tricky. Just wait till it passes - If you nail it, than you'll get rid of this thought. And if you get rid of the anxiety than you will sometimes get what ifs as well, but you will recognice it is OCD. I also find an anwer for me today in a book The thoughts disappear in 1-2 weeks if you don't act on them. Does this help you, too?

Edited by Lilymily, 19 July 2012 - 11:33 PM.

[ihaveocd23]

Hi there i have never heard that before about thoughts should dissapear within 1-2 Weeks if you dont act on them what book was that in? I also too have intrusive thoughts with checking compulsions and they have changed so much, my last one was triggered by the news apparantly thats common. I think the thoughts will go away the less you engage with them because the more you do the more it reinforces your ocd and then it becomes an obsession and then it feels more real. Its like people have thoughts all the time,people without ocd, they have intrusive thoughts however they dont take notice of them like people with ocd so therefore they dont get the obsession,hence obsessive compulsive disorder, I hope this makes sense x

[Lilymily]

They really do. I know it from myself. But if you don't do a compulsion and have really fear of them, they don't dissapear. You really have to ignore them, without fearing them. Test it out, it works for me. I only need to try it more and more. This is really the only thing which makes it so difficult - sometimes you have to do it, just do it, this is the only way out. Ignore your thoughts, say ok, that was really a good one, and really never never avoid something, do what you want. If you have panicky fear, remember that will pass away with no impact on you, it will go, like tears. When you cry, you cry but it passes away. Fear is only an emotion. Wish you luck

Note: The news stuff is absolutely good for practice. Everybody is different. The people in the news are not you. You are a unique and completely different person. Your values are different your character is different. Trust yourself and always remember!

Edited by Lilymily, 19 July 2012 - 11:53 PM.

[ihaveocd23]

Hi lilly milly it seems like you have come to see ocd for what it is because the post at the top you seem like you dont know how to get rid of the obsession and are struggling however in your post above you seem to have a better understanding of how ocd works. If you get me x

[Lilymily]

Yes you are right I red it in a book called When In doubt make it belief. There are some useful questions you can ask to yourself if you have a new doubt Hope I could help you all

[ihaveocd23]

oh sounds good where did u get that from??? xx

[Zippo3342]

Hi Lilymily,

I know exactly what you mean. My themes and thoughts change very rapidly like yours and it makes it hard to deal with. It is a tad easier with just one obsession (like worrying you are a pedophile or something) because you can do ERP (exposure and response prevention - basically desensitising yourself to a fear by exposing yourself to it) and deal with it but if you have pure-O and have several different themes and obsessions that are relentless ERP won't help I don't think.

I switch between normal OCD and pure-O quite alot. I am still looking for an answer for dealing with pure-o.

[Lilymily]

Thank you for your post. I currently feel a bit better, but if someone has a solution for this, please please please post!

[sarah1984]

Hi Lily,
It sounds as if you have very good insight into how your OCD works. I think your cinema technique is a very good idea and I don't think it's a compulsion - you're not trying to stop the thoughts or argue with them. Instead, you accept the presence of the thoughts and let them be and you recognise that your anxiety will go away of its own accord. It also helps to be able to observe your thoughts from a distance and to see them for what they really are - just empty words inside your head. The cinema idea sounds very similar to mindfulness techniques - are you familiar with mindfulness? It must be very frustrating if the focus of your intrusive thoughts keeps changing. Sometimes it can be very difficult to distinguish OCD thoughts from our other thoughts. I've read that whenever this happens and you find yourself asking "Is this OCD or not?", you should take the risk and treat the thought as an OCD thought without engaging in your rituals or ruminations. If you were in genuine danger, you'd know immediately without any doubts.
Hope this helps answer your question.
Sarah

[Zippo3342]

I actually remember reading something somewhere on the net about the best CBT treatment for pure O, because it is a little harder to treat that standard OCD. I will track it down again and post it here later.

[Lilymily]

Thank you so much!

[Zippo3342]

I found the source,

The book sold on this website called "Break free from OCD" covers pure-o and includes a case study on it! I have bought an online copy to try it..