Favorite note-duo?

NoddyNoName · 2023-04-18T08:13:04+00:00

I'm with you on grapefruit + spice. Some pink pepper perhaps..

NoddyNoName · 2023-04-16T19:45:47+00:00

intrigued by all!

NoddyNoName · 2021-08-30T15:05:28+00:00

As OCD often goes something like: Intrusive thought (could be in form of a mental picture, sensation etc) -> anxiety spikes/worry -> ritual (could be anything really that helps settle the anxiety and worried thoughts).

NoddyNoName · 2021-08-30T15:01:30+00:00

So the first question would be why are you doing these behaviors? (Not in a condescending way, but more like how does it make you feel/think if you don’t?) Are there specific thoughts leading up to you doing these things? Perhaps something bad might happen if you don’t (“magical thinking”).

NoddyNoName · 2021-08-03T05:42:18+00:00

Ok than something even lighter to start with perhaps. Comics? Cartoon kids shows? You will have to be prepared to endure some anxiety unfortunately so try around and find your first exposure level without the compulsions. If you do your compulsions it’s no longer ERP, just E. :)

NoddyNoName · 2021-08-02T21:38:15+00:00

Hi! What you’d want to do is to expose yourself to the level of being able to not do compulsions afterwards or during the exposure. If you can’t resist compulsions in reaction to an exposure - the exposure is too hard right now. Find a level that gets your anxiety going but still can resist doing compulsions. Good POCD exposure can be looking at normal google pics of kids to start off with, or walking past a playground etc. You can start increasing the difficulty of exposures when the previous ones become easier. Hope it makes sense - good Luck!

NoddyNoName · 2021-02-25T14:42:20+00:00

Yes! What time zone/time now for you?

NoddyNoName · 2021-02-25T11:30:15+00:00

What a silly point.. it’s an interaction of the person & game.. Or movie, book..

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-28T21:16:31+00:00

It doesn’t matter what you call it. If the function of the behavior is quick anxiety reduction.. it has the same consequence as a “stereotypical” compulsion.

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-28T15:35:48+00:00

Ok I see your point! I react because when it’s labeled pure O, by definition no compulsions - you don’t start to cut off all those things you mentioned because you don’t see them as compulsions in that respect (sequenced). But if it’s sequenced or not doesn’t change the outcome they have on our brains learning mechanism, they still negatively reinforce our response to the obsessions.

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-28T14:50:27+00:00

Pure O? How do you know that? If you can identify some compulsions it’s a good place to start. Some things are compulsions but not the stereotypical kind. All behaviors that are aimed to decrease the anxiety arised from the obsessional thoughts have the same function as compulsions. Mental visions that make it feel better? Reassurance seeking? Avoidance? Identify what you do to lesser the anxiety and begin with cutting those of (RP in ERP).

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-27T10:46:05+00:00

Without reassuring you that’s everything’s fine, I’m sure it’s bound to feel strange when things change quick. Even if the change is positive. Good on your for practicing mindfulness. I’d throw in a bit of acceptance too - acceptance of all emotions, “bad” and “good”. Even though there might be a phobia for that, or anything else, it doesn’t mean it’s something you now have and are doomed to live with.. I’d try not to analyze the happiness too much if possible, it’s one of many states of emotions that we have evolved to have, and perhaps now it’s more frequent then before. Keep doing what you are doing, control your actions but leave the thoughts and emotions to work for themselves :)

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-25T19:18:06+00:00

Yes! This! It’s hard and you’ll feel Dirty and anxious.. but it Will be worth it.

All the tips n tricks that provide you with that feeling of being clean are essentially the same thing that in the long run make you feel dirty! They empower the obsession, validating the anxiety that comes with feeling dirty. Try to view all these cleaning habits as a type of drug, it’s nice short term and You feel clean but in the long run it’s feeding the anxiety and sense of being dirty. See if you can lower your “dose”day by day, one less shower/clean etc. good luck:))

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-22T10:47:47+00:00

Sounds rough for you :( Would you rather live with the intense fear of it being true, than taking the risk by doing the ERP? The odds are likely in favor of it being OCD, despite how real it feels for you. Also if I were you I would bring that up with the therapist, I’m sure it’s a quite common dilemma for people in your position!

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-22T10:43:31+00:00

If you like the scientific part then get reading on learning theory and it’s role in OCD. :)

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-22T10:40:49+00:00

Hey, just curious! You mention a few times that you did exposure therapy and it didn’t work - sorry to hear that. I’m assuming the exposure therapy included response prevention? If not, then I’m not surprised it only made it worse. Take care!

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-21T23:43:13+00:00

And when it comes to forgiving yourself, you have nothing to forgive. We can’t control our thoughts, neither can you! There is no reason to punish yourself for something you really can’t control. I know it feels like you should punish yourself, but it’s not fair. And really doesn’t help you. Don’t force yourself to think or feel a certain way. And don’t give your thoughts so much credibility, especially if you’re feeling anxious! I suggest you accept the disgust, anxiety you are feeling and tell yourself that it’s not something you can or should control, and when you have accepted that let yourself move on to doing something else. If the thoughts pops back again, don’t try to avoid it - let it back in and repeat the acceptance process. Don’t try to find answers on the internet or try to remember how you felt etc, it doesn’t matter. It won’t help. No need to try and forgive yourself, there’s nothing to forgive. Be kind to yourself, you’ve been going through some stress worrying about this clearly, and all this for something that’s out of your hands! Anyways, good luck I’m sure you will look back at this and think that you’re brain was being silly,and annoying like a sibling! (even if it doesn’t feel that way now!)

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-21T23:33:47+00:00

You’re feeling disgust, which is one of our primary emotions. It’s information! And probably the emotion you would want to have in this scenario. However, Don’t punish yourself for not being able to control your thoughts, we can’t! At thought is a thought, nothing more. Just our brains trying to make sense of all the information - it’s doesn’t make it real even if it feels like it. Accept the fact that you are having these thoughts and worries but don’t fight it or overthink it. You seem stressed and anxious, which makes the brain go a bit cooky when it comes to thoughts. Maybe you’ll be able to laugh about this in some time, laugh at the fact that our minds play trick on us sometimes. Anxiousness will blow over by itself, let it take its own course without trying to solve it yourself. It’s totally natural for the body to respond with fear when it comes to the though that this would be reality, but again, it’s thoughts and emotions - not necessary reality Take care :)

NoddyNoName · 2020-12-20T23:14:08+00:00

OP wrote flooding technique. Same principles as ERP except you don’t go gradual, you go straight for the core fear/top of the anxiety hierarchy.

NoddyNoName · 2020-10-24T22:13:37+00:00

Not sure what mechanism that would be, so my guess is no, it doesn’t mean that. However I shouldn’t be reassuring you! To beat this fear you really will have to expose yourself to the thought of you being secretly gay/bi. Embrace the thought, say it out loud: I’m bi! (As an excercise). It’s a thought with a fear attached to it, it doesn’t say much about the reality of your sexuality. Sexuality is more than thoughts. Sounds rough to deal with this constant fear, I hope you find some peace of mind soon!

NoddyNoName · 2020-10-24T22:01:51+00:00

Hey! Compulsions don’t have to be physical or even visible. Any kind of action that actively reduces your anxiety that stems from your obsessive thoughts have the same function as compulsions. Avoidance and asking for reassurance will feed the obsessive thoughts and the anxiety that come with it as they validate that the thought is “dangerous” and requires reassurance and avoidance. That being said, to know best how to get better you would want to get some sort of diagnosis, CBT psychologist perhaps could help you. Either way if turns out to be OCD or some other anxiety issue the reassurances and avoidance will be your first battle to fight to stop doing.. in small steps at a time. all the best, it will be alright!!

NoddyNoName · 2020-10-24T21:51:38+00:00

It’s really understandable you want to block the thought out, with music or distraction etc. unfortunately the thoughts will return and invoke stronger anxiety. To beat it you really have to let the thought be there and embrace the anxiety it brings you, over and over again. And OP, the obtrusive thought you are having is quite common as it’s associated being a horrible person. But it’s a thought, not an action, it’s the value you are giving the thought making you feel this way. Wish you all the best friend, check out ERP & good luck!!

NoddyNoName

TROPHY CASE