Is this compulsive or helpfull?

Often I listen to podcasts or audiobooks. Sometimes fiction, sometimes about ocd or anxiety. I did this before i got so consumed with ocd again. But no i am doubting myself if i do this to distract myself. I do it while doing chores or when I put on my make-up for example. And I have to admit it helps me to get distracted from my thoughts. How do you know when you do it to distract your thoughts (as a compulsion) or just because you like it? When do you know it is helpfull or not?

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

I’m going to go with helpful. Listening to podcasts is how I first educated myself about OCD, ERP, and medications. I too wrestle with whether or not this is a compulsion, and maybe it is, but it does not distress me. I rather enjoy it. My partner said the same thing about my walking every day. My thought is how can something that makes you feel better and educates you that you enjoy be a compulsion? What I found from this process is that I learn better from listening. In fact, I just finished my first audiobook!

baukje

Date posted: Yesterday

@Anonymous I have the same with walking 🥹 walking in nature as we speak. And it calms me. But also feels a bit compulsive somehow. Because I have to do it everyday. But I keep telling myself it is a healthy compulsion 🧘🏼‍♀️😊

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Mayo Clinic definition of OCD: “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions. These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions get in the way of daily activities and cause a lot of distress.” Doesn’t sound like these things are causing us distress to me. I scroll this community every day to relate to others with OCD. Is that a compulsion? The app was designed by NOCD!

baukje

Date posted: Yesterday

@Anonymous No you’re right! Thanks!! I think the only ocd think about it is the self-doubt it can cause me. That is the distressing thing. Learning a lot about myself these days. Thankful i found this app.

baukje

Date posted: Yesterday

@baukje Think=thing

24ozpersepho...

Date posted: Yesterday

@baukje What kind of self-doubt/intrusive thoughts are bothering you? If listening to OCD podcast is amplifying those thoughts, talk with your therapist how you can use ERP to lessen how distressed they make you.

JediMJ

Date posted: Yesterday

Before I realized I had OCD, I would be plagued by thoughts in the middle of the night and read to distract myself. I’d just about fall asleep and then, BAM! Intrusive thought and I’d be wide awake, spiraling again. Then I learned to face the thought, apply a little “maybe/maybe not,” and read or go for a walk or whatever. And my anxiety lessened because I wasn’t compulsively ruminating. I think you’re refocusing, not running away. Does it feel helpful? It’s probably helpful. And you know what? Once in a while, life is just too much and if we seek a distraction, it’s okay. We can face the thing tomorrow when we have more energy or whatever. We’re only human. 🙂

baukje

Date posted: 18h ago

@JediMJ Thank you! That was really helpful 🙏🏼

qobayss

Date posted: Yesterday

Oh im do this too, For me escaping to fantasy was my unhealthy copying mechanism for like three years, and then i decided to stop and what i do instead ''to feel productive '' i kept listening to podcasts (without realizing that i was using this to distract myself) Until i questioned this question, and i found out i was using it as a distraction when i decided to not listen to any podcast for a week, but i couldn't, its either i listen to podcasts or i daydream, thats how i knew :l

Anonymous

Date posted: 15w ago

How do you stop OCD before it starts

So maybe the title wasn't the best to to put it but when you guys start having obsessive thoughts how do you stop them before it turns into compulsions and anxiety?

Ok_Paint758

Date posted: 11w ago

Is telling myself "it's just ocd" a compulsion?

When I was a child, before I knew this was OCD, I struggled with constant "magical thinking" compulsions (don't step on the crack or mom's back will actually break, etc). When I later learned this was OCD, it almost immediately solved it. Any time I got a magical thought, I would say to myself "that's just an OCD thought. ignore it." and it just stopped coming! Like seriously it fixed the magical thinking stuff forever. But of course the OCD has resurfaced in other ways. So naturally, I've tried to use the same strategy since I had so much success with it previously. But I wonder sometimes if telling myself "that's just OCD" is almost functioning as a reassurance compulsion? I hate how meta this gets. For example, I have ROCD that comes and goes. So sometimes I'll get a thought like "what if i'm still in love with my ex?" and then I'll tell myself "that's obviously just an ROCD thought" and will feel relief, almost like reassurance. But it comes back. So is telling myself that it's OCD a reassurance compulsion ?? It's just so weird because it worked so perfectly as a kid with the magical thinking thing.

Bean.there

Date posted: 11w ago

What even IS thought neutralizing, though?

Or thought-stopping, or suppression. I'm new-ish to OCD treatment and recovery, and I understand and believe that I'm living with this condition, but I still don't *get* it sometimes. I don't immediately click with what other people are describing. For example, when my therapist suggests using mindfulness techniques like naming something in my environment for each sense (something I see in this room, something I hear in this moment, etc), I'm thinking, "is this thought-stopping?" because I'm using the technique to get out of an obsessive spiral and redirecting my attention outward. Isn't that a good thing? Is it thought-suppression *every* time I try to change the subject in my mind? How would you describe "thought neutralizing" mental compulsions to someone who doesn't get it? (ie me lol)

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