Good afternoon everyone and thank you for approving me onto this forum,
I am a father of two who has suffered on and off with acute OCD since I was a teenager (30 years in total) and live an active, largely OCD free life (setbacks every now and then). I have had extensive therapy and CBT and have learnt so much about how to address and self treat with this condition.
My children have been showing signs of the beginnings of OCD and are struggling with intrusive words, which they find upsetting and wont go away. This is how my OCD began back in school.
My question to you all is whether I should start some very basic ERP with them that I learnt – they are teenagers
My worry is, that despite them being upset at recurring thoughts, they do have periods of the day where I can see they have forgotten about it and are distracted and whether me saying ‘how are you’ or ‘let’s do some OCD activities’ will just remind them that they have intrusive thoughts. One of my daughters told me that for 2 weeks she has had the word ‘thinking’ in her mind over and over and it has upset her,
Any help or advice you may be able to provide will be really appreciated and I thank you in advance.
Best Wishes, Matthew
