Is thinking about OCD ok?

[Hala37]

Hello! 

I've been trying to manage my OCD.

What if I think about managing my obsessions and advice? I find I quickly get into a conversation with myself about it and then end up doing the compulsions and reassurance anyway. I'm not sure how to avoid this! 

Thanks for your help . 

[UnivalentKey]

Hello!

Could you expand a little bit more on your question?  Are you asking if you should deliberately think of the thoughts themselves or of the fact you're having the thoughts (if that makes sense)?

Hopefully then myself and others can provide advice.

[BelAnna]

Hi Hala, 

It's okay to think about OCD and try to work out which obsessions and compulsions you want to work on and then set up some tasks to help you overcome these. 

Do you mean questioning whether your obsessions really are obsessions? If you're thinking about an upsetting, recurrent intrusive thought then you can pretty much assume it's an obsession.

If you find that just thinking about your OCD leads to more compulsions (e.g. to undo the anxiety that it causes), then it's worth talking to a therapist about this (or looking for a CBT therapist if you're not currently receiving any help). 

Edited April 20, 2021 by BelAnna

[Hala37]

Hi! Thanks for getting back to me. 

I find if I deliberately think about advice and which obsessions I'd like to work on I then start feeling uncomfortable and then start doing the compulsions. 

I find it hard with OCD 'watching your every move' in your own brain to clinically look at my obsessions without getting wrapped up in them. 

Has anyone got any tips or tricks for this? I guess just being very mindful before I start doing compulsions? 

I have had CBT therapy before and I will look back over my notes again. 

Thanks a lot

[BelAnna]

8 hours ago, Hala37 said:

Hi! Thanks for getting back to me. 

I find if I deliberately think about advice and which obsessions I'd like to work on I then start feeling uncomfortable and then start doing the compulsions. 

Me too Hala! 

I'm not sure what to advise but you're not alone  I guess we'd be instructed to try to delay, reduce or stop completing compulsions in response to thinking about each OCD thought?

[Hala37]

Yes I guess just be very aware of it and stop if you start doing compulsions. I suppose it gets easier the more consistent you are. Or that's what I tell myself!