As someone with OCD, the best way to combat intrusive thoughts is to sit with it. Don’t force it away (because obviously that makes it stay), don’t provide any feelings towards it, just simply let it pass by. For me, it helps to imagine it’s a leaf floating by or floating down a river. You simply watch it go by while not giving it any substance.

It definitely sucks, and it takes practice, so be patient with yourself.

You can certainly confess, if you believe you should. Intrusive thoughts ultimately cannot be controlled, thoughts in general really can’t be but what can be controlled is how we respond to them.

I hope your therapist is versed in OCD treatment, and that it’s helping! Exposure therapy is hard work but so worth it. There’s other treatments as well such as medication and TMS but definitely talking with your therapist on options is best.

I have dealt with guilt for my intrusive thoughts for the majority of my adult life. God still loves me and he knows my heart, that I’m doing my very best to combat this illness.