OCD Action

S*F
Member

Evening all,

I have been doing quite well over the last few weeks and felt some very real improvements since starting to practise mindfullness. Had my second CBT session and from the moment I got there all I wanted to do was reassurance seek. Memories of some of my worst spikes came flooding back and the urge to spend the hour 'revealing all' was there. I managed to resist thankfully and reminded myself that I have previously told several councillors about my IT's(before I even knew what IT's were) and they didn't insist I was locked up there and then. Therefore common sense should prevail and I should accept that I am normal. It doesn't though. Common sense rarely prevails where this illness is concerned. Does anyone else find that when they do reassurance seek and share a horrid IT, that they get some relief and then an even worse thought occurs so the whole cycle starts again? With this latest councillor I want to hear him confirm to me that I do in fact have OCD. I'd like him to write it down so that I can frame it and look at it in times of struggles! If only that were enough!

S

Mon Jan 16 2012 21:16:43 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi S, yes, me too... I'd sort out an intrusive thought that was worrying me, I'd be reassured for about ten minutes, a blissful ten minutes, then something else would pop into my head, and down I'd go again. It was like a picture slide show, where one thought would go out of sight, resolved, and then another picture would just replace that one, and there I'd go again. I guess that is the nature of OCD... I try to let some thoughts stay, cos then nothing pops up to replace it. It is nice to get a thought that I can be sort of comfortable with, and just let it be there. But it isn't easy is it?
Wannabe

Mon Jan 16 2012 21:34:54 #
slogsweep
Member

The very doubt you suffer from is a symptom of OCD in itself, so by doubting it you're ironically confirming the diagnosis of OCD!

I wish I could help more about disclosing IT's but I'm often too scared to. I admire your courage in doing so,

Best wishes
Slog

Mon Jan 16 2012 23:20:34 #
Mike
Member

That's why reassurance seeking is a big no-no. It's just another compulsion, and will prevent you from getting any better. Refusing to engage in any ritualistic behavior will help a lot.

Tue Jan 17 2012 2:00:22 #
S*F
Member

Thanks all. No, it definately isn't easy. I will keep trying to avoid the reassurance seeking.

Again, many thanks

Tue Jan 17 2012 18:16:55 #
wannabefree
Member

Me too...
Wannabe

Tue Jan 17 2012 19:25:53 #
S*F
Member

Glad to hear it

Tue Jan 17 2012 20:41:16 #