OCD Action

Citaloman
Member

Please read this it may help today be a little bit brighter.

http://www.ocdrecoverycenters.com/library/ocd_article_slogans_sayings1.pdf

Wed Feb 1 2012 12:10:23 #
Truddles
Member

It does make for interesting reading.

But you should never repeat a mantra, saying or phrase to relieve the anxiety that the OCD causes, it may temporarily relieve the anxiety but in the long term perpetuates the anxiety and keeps the OCD cycle going.

I was taught to choose some sayings to boost my confidence but to only go through them when I wasn't anxious or facing an OCD situation and none of them were to mention OCD.

As part of my homework last week I have to have two hours whilst out of the flat where I'm not allowed to criticise myself or get involved in any negative thoughts and to turn any negative thoughts I do get into positive ones. I was also taught that the positive thought although in effect the reverse of the original thought wasn't to contain any words in the original thought or that would take my mind straight back to the negative thought. I am not allowed to repeat phrases, sayings or mantras during this time.

Wed Feb 1 2012 13:28:07 #
Mike
Member

I agree. Although some of the ideas on the website aren't bad, repeating reassurance mantras reaffirms the obsessions because they will never be able to convince the OCD that your fears aren't true. Confronting the fears is a much better choice.

Wed Feb 1 2012 15:52:34 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Citaloman... Thank you for sharing that link... Yes... There are some good ideas there... It is also true that repeating these things is a form of reassurance, which, though important to us, doesn't actually work... It is one of the cruel ironies of OCD that we seek reassurance, only to have it dashed from our hearts by the next problem we come across... OCD is indeed a cruel condition to live with...
Wannabe

Wed Feb 1 2012 16:51:31 #
swan
Member

Hi Trudy,
your homework seems complicated how are you doing with it?

Wed Feb 1 2012 17:06:38 #
Citaloman
Member

This wasnt meant to be a mantra etc. Just for those who have started recovey and are scared stiff. Coming on here is regarded as reassurance but we do it. This is intended to help people who have no idea what is happening to them.

Wed Feb 1 2012 19:19:37 #
Mike
Member

I would actually say that reassurance in general is not bad for people with OCD; only reassurance about your OCD fears is bad. For example, coming on the site and asking for support after a bad day is probably helpful, as long as one doesn't ask for reassurance that his/her particular fear isn't true.

Wed Feb 1 2012 22:26:48 #