OCD or just anxiety and inner conflict?

I mean I know there is a uncertainty component but not everything should be ignored if its a conflict that is unresolved. I mean, if you have the answer to what's ailing you and you still doubt and obsess over it and need reinforcement that's another thing. Merely ignoring inner conflict that's causing anxiety and leaving it will just continue to haunt you no? I mean some things resolve on their own but some things need action to process certain concerns and troubling experiences in my opinion. Ignoring things or assuming everything is OCD or intrusive thoughts - for me the thoughts are thoughts and are labeled intrusive because they have a negative influence on you that you are obsessing over. I am definitely not discounting obsessions and compulsions especially when they are that but merely that some things need to be addressed and naturally if you cant find the answer readily you will obsess over it because it is bothering you and it needs to be processed and integrated so I can move on. I am afraid this platform may hyperfocus on OCD when it may not all be OCD and yes, I think OCD co-exists with anxiety or a trigger but ultimately doesn't the anxiety or trigger need to be focused on. Our response to anxiety and inner conflict or mainly uncertainty can be dealt with via OCD but where is the balance. I don't want to treat the symptom without facing the cause if you know what I mean.

Any chance you live in NY? I am looking for a circle of domestic OCDers.

For safety measure, you don't have to answer of course if you are not comfortable.

Exactly. In my experience, I had elevated levels of OCD when I had intense anxiety about a subject; usually the same thing mostly, a phobia I have and fear of public speaking. The rituals of constantly checking and repeating would heighten as well as it co-existed with my anxiety. Now, yes, I would obsess over what I am worrying about - maybe it is a theme under OCD but still I think primarily an anxiety trigger. I definitely think our tolerance level for uncertainty plays a huge role in both, but again I don't want to like you said put everything in one box. I always looked at OCD as a extension to anxiety; if I have a trigger or just merely inner conflict and need help processing it, education and clarity would be my go to to help me process what I am dealing with. I feel like the "obsession" generally comes when I cant get resolution to my conflict and thus maybe "compulsive" researching coupled with -because of lack of control, isolated checking and repetitive behaviors with reading or light switches to name a couple manifest as well because I ultimately don't have that equilibrium of control when I am struggling with matters that take the front seat. In turn, over a period of time with no resolution of my own or help, breakdown! That is where I am now except in this time I have multiple conflicts that by chance unfolded. I would be honest and say a couple of them would be OCD obsessions and compulsions because I think they derive on the basis of false memory theme and contamination theme of OCD but with the contamination OCD it is I still believe partly ambiguity. To conclude, I am not denying OCD, especially now that its at a level I never experienced but it is quite recognizable.

Naturally with therapy, we can be helped and work through these inner conflicts and fears lets say too. In this platform, I seek a community to share our concerns and offer ideas (two heads are better than one) to others to work through our issues. Of course definitely to have community, join together so we are not alone and show compassion; I think this is a byproduct of coming together. We understand each other that no one around us in our circle understands and I like the idea of a smaller more intimate circle so there is a sense of better connection when you get to know the person and that to me is feeling like I am not alone and I have a group to be apart of and come together and heal and grow together with our shared issues. If that makes sense.

@Mike6060 - I haven't tryed ERP but I am planning on it with a therapist when I can get one who takes my insurance. Maybe this could help us a little on the OCD where a key is not needed; OCD and ERP therapy seem like a paradox that: less is more.