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finnigan

621d

anyone out there with pocd have any advice about dealing with it? especially pertaining to avoidance of anything triggering

Top reply
    • ItsJustARide

      593d

      @finnigan yeah exactly. The way I think of it ocd is a way of dealing with/avoiding anxiety. Some people avoid anxiety by drinking, or working, or not leaving the house etc, and other people, like us, become obsessive and have compulsive behaviors. So its all about finding healthier ways to deal with anxiety.

    • ItsJustARide

      598d

      I dont know if this is controversial, but I think instead of avoiding triggers I would avoid the compulsions. Some triggers are impossible to avoid. But acting on the obsessions is a slippery slope because they become bigger and more irrational the more you validate them. Not acting on them will of course cause anxiety but I just sit with the anxiety and uncomfortable feelings. Its the only way to not go into full ocd madness where I can't even leave the house. My ocd has to do with health, at its worst every hour or so I thought I had a different disease and would have to spend hours googling, performing various tests on my vitals etc. Not doing so would result in a panic attack. So I decided I had enough and one day when the usual thoughts of having a disease would pop up I did nothing, didnt Google, didn't measure my vitals...nothing. Just went through the panic attack and eventually there was light at the end of the tunnel and the obsessions started to lesson their hold on me. I started paying attention to the physical sensations of anxiety and my thoughts and feelings during an episode. I practiced gratitude and started asking myself questions; what if I DID have this or that disease? Would it be that bad? Am I going to die? Am I unsafe? Why am I so scared? Its not the end of the world.

      • finnigan

        594d

        @ItsJustARide yes this!! i probably should have worded this better. i didn’t mean how to avoid triggers, i actually meant how to stop avoiding triggers just like you said!! it’s definitely better to allow yourself to become triggered and cope with the anxiety in the long run, just like ERP

        • ItsJustARide

          593d

          @finnigan yeah exactly. The way I think of it ocd is a way of dealing with/avoiding anxiety. Some people avoid anxiety by drinking, or working, or not leaving the house etc, and other people, like us, become obsessive and have compulsive behaviors. So its all about finding healthier ways to deal with anxiety.

    • idkwhyimhereguys

      604d

      i have pocd too can we talk about it

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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