Some observations on exposures

[luna blue]

Hi guys, 

Here is something that had pcured to me - when you "did" something ( touched something dirty , hugged your child and now thinking you are a pedophile, took a knife in your hand , or touched a needle, no matter what , ) just something that got your anxiety immediately very high - did you ever exposed yourself even more at that moment? I did it accidentally few times and it had a huge effect - positive one! I really felt a winner and then did it few times on purpose and also had a positive effect. 

Anyone experienced something similar? 

[paradoxer]

Yes, sometimes there are unwitting or unexpected exposures. When we realize that they are not so terrible, it's therapeutic. 

[stopthinking]

Hi LB Can you explain a little more on this. Can an exposure be not reacting to an intrusive thought and sitting with the anxiety? I've been trying to spike my anxiety but find it rises higher when I'm caugt off guard. Can I treat this as an exposure?  Thanks.

[Fedfan]

In my case, something similar happened, where something happened which brought my anxiety levels really high, but this made some of my other fears and triggers less significant.