Neurodivergent on Sidechat | Ok so when am I supposed to realize that my OCD is irrational, because I fully believe that many (not all, some are actually bs) of my compulsions do genuinely serve a point. They keep me safe and comfortable.

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Neurodivergent 2w

Ok so when am I supposed to realize that my OCD is irrational, because I fully believe that many (not all, some are actually bs) of my compulsions do genuinely serve a point. They keep me safe and comfortable.

Anonymous 2w

I wish I didn’t have to check that the door is locked multiple times, but then I know the door is locked! I have a bedtime routine I HAVE to stick to, and it helps me fall asleep! I do wish that I didn’t have to do all the rituals all the time, or that I could be more of a “chill” person, but at the end of the day it works? Idk if I’m silly for feeling this way.

Anonymous 2w

hi! 3 year psych major here, and I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL, but i hope i can provide a helpful word or two! your compulsions DO kind of serve a point, as unfortunate as that can be (because it can so easily trigger repeated compulsions short and long term). the irrationality part of it typically comes into play when we think about the timing criteria for OCD—obsessions or compulsions (or both) have to take up a at least a total of an hour from your days (not every day, but most days) (1/?)

Anonymous

OP 2w

I feel similarly about my anxiety. Acting on it feels like it’s keeping me safe, but the mental stress of me always having to act on it often makes it harder for those who care about me to be around me. It’s a tricky problem to have.

Anonymous

#2 2w

this being said, we have to think about how many times we can perform a compulsion before it becomes excessive or time-consuming. you also unfortunately have to sit in some of your discomfort if you want to relieve it long-term, which is the hardest but most rewarding part about OCD treatment. the most effective is safe or controlled exposure therapy. sit in your discomfort, let your obsessions wash over you because, whether you feel like it or not, you are incredibly strong (2/?)

Anonymous

#2 2w

and you are fully capable of withstanding your discomfort whether it feels like it or not. the absolutely overwhelming anxiety that comes with ocd can make rituals feel like immediate relief, but performing these rituals reinforces their feeling of necessity. you can try performing it once, putting a physical reminder that you have done it once if it’s a safety-measure ritual (door locking, turning the stove off, etc.(3/?)

Anonymous

#2 2w

after performing the ritual once, you can leave yourself a physical reminder; a post-it note or journal logging that you have performed the ritual once that day or night (so that you know if you’re safe or not). this probably will NOT quell the feeling that obsessions can cause and rituals can relieve. you might also feel the need to check your physical reminder over and over again—this physical reminder is sort of a ritual in its own right, and you shouldn’t give into the urge to check it (4/?)

Anonymous

#2 2w

another really helpful tip i’ve heard of is saying your obsessions out loud. if you only experience compulsions, you can say out loud that you’ve already performed the action, or even out loud just say the ritual you want to perform if you can’t or wouldn’t like to perform the action. the most effective but toughest treatment is exposure therapy though, especially because of how uncomfortable it can be (5/6)

Anonymous

#2 2w

but i know you can do this if you want to. you’re strong enough to endure the pain and discomfort ocd has already caused you, so i know you’re strong enough to help yourself recover, too. i hope this helped you some! if you want to talk more in DMs or want any extra support, i’m here 🫶 (6/6)