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Ocd pure o journey

Ocd pure o journey

Hi all,

Not sure if here is the best spot to reach out. I am thinking of going it alone, because well, it may be for the best.

I am diagnosed with ocd (pure o). I have tried to get better from it on so many ways, including therapy. I am currently doing an online course to get better but i don't know if I should continue.

I think that me seeking help, a way to get better, no matter how logical, just fuels my ocd. But I am always drawn back for advice or a way to get better.

Even the course i am doing now proports to deal with the core reason for ocd (core fears), i still think I am creating my own insanity whilst trying to get better. It's so hard though because I feel like i am making progress sometimes but also feel like it is just part of a vicious cycle of solving, and then creating a link to the problem, and thus continuing infinite cycle of an insanity (even with awareness added in to the mix).

A tiny, quiet voice in sometimes says to me to trust myself, that if will be okay. It doesn't make logical sense. And I don't want to miss out on a opportunity to get better from a free ocd course (got it for a free as I am like an initial test pilot for the new course). And I will upset the guy who created if I stop now. And i could be throwing away a gift to get better.

Sorry i can't give a great explanation. Writing on my phone isn't the same as writing on a keyboard.

~Vol

I realise there is no answer to my conundrum

6 replies

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In response to: Ocd pure o journey

Re: Ocd pure o journey

Hi Vol,

I have become frustrated in the past by the constant logic, problem solving and insight that "wasn't working for me." Our brains are so complex and no matter how much logic I used, at times it didn't make me feel better. Sometimes our prefrontal cortex (logic thinking part of our brain) is overridden by other more emotional parts of our brain. For me, when my emotion can't be helped with the logic, I use skills which don't use the brain much, and focuses on my senses. For example I do body scans to notice my whole body, I will smell a nice perfume, drink a caramel coffee and listen to bird sounds. This way I'm only focusing on my senses, instead of logical concepts.

I'm unsure if this was helpful. I hope I at least validated your frustration with insight and logic cycle which at times just plain sucks.

In response to: Ocd pure o journey

Re: Ocd pure o journey

Hello and welcome to the forums @Vol,

You've definitely come to the right place for support - I have lots of experience with Pure O and my gosh, it can be utterly exhausting and overwhelming.

Know that I am sending you the biggest hug and a loving reminder that you're safe.

I think seeking help is really proactive, but I get how it might feed your cycle in some ways. I find some of the most self-aware, insightful people have OCD and let me tell you - it can be tough to discern what voices to listen to! This is where coming back to finding safety in the body is key (so the thoughts slow down).

I would suggest talking to a therapist who specialises in OCD, or someone who gets that CBT isn't the most helpful strategy here. ERP or Somatic/Parts work has been really helpful for me, because they focus less on the mind and more on the body.

I have also followed a lot of wonderful instagram accounts that have helped with destigmatising and outlining how this kind of anxiety likes to show up/ways to practically manage it. I will link them here!

https://www.instagram.com/alegrakastens/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/youranxietytoolkit/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/jenna.overbaugh/?hl=en

I like the fact you have touched on inner trust, because that truly is the key - not engaging with the thoughts, self-soothing/grounding, and coming back to the present = creating more inner trust. It's not always easy, but it's 100% possible to manage, okay?

Here with you and happy to talk more about it all! 💛

In response to: Re: Ocd pure o journey

Re: Ocd pure o journey

Yes 🙂 Calming the nervous system, such as by doing a bodyscan is helpful

In response to: Re: Ocd pure o journey

Re: Ocd pure o journey

Thanks Auntglow for your support. I will check the links out.

I did ERP with limited success. Now working on core beliefs, general awareness and acceptance, and also calming the nervous system in various ways.

But sometimes I still just wish I didn't need any of this, but I feel I am fooling myself with that type of idealistic thinking

In response to: Re: Ocd pure o journey

Re: Ocd pure o journey

@Vol! I am so sorry, I didn't see your message! But I thought of you today and wanted to check-in.

How are things going?

And what are you finding is coming up for you as you work on your core beliefs and calming your nervous system?

I totally get wishing you didn't need any of this... sometimes I am like, 'why do I have to work SO bloody hard to self-regulate?!' So know that you aren't alone in this at all. 💖

In response to: Re: Ocd pure o journey

Re: Ocd pure o journey

I think I find it hardest when my nervous system gets activated. And then I just want to throw away trying to get better at all. Even calming my nervous system feels like a trap.

But yes, unconditional acceptance and eft tapping (done via AI script assistance) seems helpful. I just don't like having to be locked in to doing something as it feels like i am trying to fix myself. But to get better from ocd may require some practices, such as unconditional acceptance. I still struggle with the idea that I am trapping myself with practices though. Sorry my brain isn't working that well this morning.
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