When you get a stuck thought in your mind, as stupid or untrue as it may be, how do any of you block them out, or try to at least? It’s like my mind has another voice telling me making up the stupidest things?
"It’s like my mind has another voice telling me making up the stupidest things?" ---- honestly a good way to describe OCD haha. For me, what helps is *not* trying to block the thoughts out, because you really can't. You're wasting energy on a losing battle when you try this. Random weird thoughts will happen no matter what. OCD recovery for me is all about responding to the thoughts differently rather than trying to stop them or shut them down. This is what brings relief.
i don’t necessarily block it out but i just ignore it or laugh it off kinda like “okay weird thought lol anyways..”
@dwestiny I find it hard to ignore, even tho I know it’s stupid..: I guess that’s what makes it difficult
@Boss34 it can help to remind yourself that the thoughts are just that—thoughts.
@dwestiny I’ll try, it comes and goes, each year the last few years, it flares up, then subsides, I don’t get it… I guess I’ve had things of OCD since I was a kid, looking back
Trying to block the thoughts typically backfires for me, because doing so tells my brain to consider the thoughts dangerous or bad. My OCD has given me some very wild, very imaginative intrusive thoughts. It’s currently telling me I’m going to die in a plane crash when I leave the state soon. I’ve learned to laugh at my thoughts, remind myself that the sticky thoughts are just my OCD being annoying, and going on with my day. Non engagement responses are very helpful here too. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/heres-why-response-prevention-is-the-key-to-ocd-recovery https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/effective-ways-you-can-respond-to-unwanted-thoughts
When an intrusive thought comes I can’t just say “that’s not true” and just move on. I always feel like I have to disprove the thought and be able to say it with confidence but the problem is that the ocd doesn’t allow me to feel and say it with confidence so I get stuck for hours or even days. How can I stop feeling like I need to do this?
So, if I'm retelling a story or relaying information to someone, after I'm done speaking, my brain will send me thoughts like, "What if you lied? You might have told the story wrong! You're lying!" I've started second-guessing myself, even when I know I'm not lying or telling the story wrong😭 This has also bled into twisting my intentions behind certain actions... For example, the other day, I'd been babysitting my younger brothers. I'd gone to use the restroom and thought, "What if the door isn't locked or closed all the way?" Because this has happened once in the past. Turns out, it didn't lock correctly, and one of my little brothers almost walked in on me, but luckily, I shut the door in time, and we laughed it off. But then, I kept getting thoughts like, "You knew that would happen, and you didn't double-check! You wanted that to happen and for him to walk in!" :( I know this isn't true, but it's so annoying! Has anyone dealt with this? If you have, do you have any advice on how to deal with these thoughts?
I struggle so bad with intrusive thoughts. They can be so bad that I'll cry because I KNOW that's not how I feel or want to do. (Too embarrassed to say what they're about) I'll constantly try to figure out why I have them, and constantly figure out what they mean, causing me to constantly circle around and around. I had to get on anxeity meds, which helped a little but the thoughts still happen. How do you help yourself with this? How do you know that you're just not some physcopath? 😅
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