How to learn to help myself?

[georgiamancusoParticipant]

Hi I have OCD and want to learn how to help myself? I have strange intrusive thoughts which I feel horrified by. But my thoughts are not the problem, how I react to my thoughts is. I heard that CBT is highly recommended for people suffering from OCD. I tried mindfulness, where you don’t judge the thoughts as good or bad. But if I get better and better at this, will my OCD try harder and will I have even stranger thoughts? And how can I not react and trust that this is OCD, not me? Should I find a therapist who specializes in OCD and get on medication or will mindfulness really help the endless thoughts??

[ocdhelperParticipant]

If you’d like some tips you can always send me a DM and I can help more directly too, but here’s some good advice for you: Mindfulness is really important, but overall you should view a lot of OCD as habitual and behavioral. What that means is a lot of OCD just becomes our own habit. We think thoughts, go through ritual cycles, and repeat over and over again. It is very difficult for people to break out of those cycles.

What you want to do is be mindful and also be aware that so much of OCD is habit and behavior. Recognize when you are being OCD or thinking thoughts that are ridiculous and build habits about moving on to new thoughts. People with OCD tend to get stuck and don’t have a lot of ability to move on from those thoughts to move on to new thoughts. Don’t get too stuck thinking in the thoughts when you realize they are OCD and ridiculous. Learn how to think things and move on, that is a great tip.

[Forum Moderators]

Thanks for posting on the forum and we’re sorry you haven’t had many replies yet. Please don’t take this personally; sometimes it takes a while for people to reply. We just want you to know that you’re never alone and OCD Action is here to support you.

If you’d like to talk to or email someone who understands OCD, please contact our OCD Action Helpline.

You can get confidential information about and support from a Helpline volunteer who understands how OCD can impact your life. Contact our Helpline by:

• phone: 0300 636 5478
• email: support@ocdaction.org.uk

We hope this is helpful,

Forum Moderators

[Forum Moderators]

Hi:

Forum Moderators here – just checking in, as it’s been a while since you posted your topic.

We want to be sure you know that, in addition to contacting the OCD Action Helpline and Email Service, you can visit our website’s Resources page: https://ocdaction.org.uk/resources/

You’ll find lots of helpful web-based resources on topics such as:

• An introduction to OCD
• Assessment and Diagnosis
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention
• Funding specialist treatment
• Getting a Yes from the NHS
• Good Quality CBT with ERP
• Making the Most of Therapy
• Medication for OCD
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Preparing for a GP Appointment
• Primary Care for Adults
• Reassurance seeking
• Secondary Care for Adult
• Support for Families and Carers
• Treatment Options
• Treatments Not Recommended for OCD
• What to Look for in a Therapist
• Your Journey through the NHS

We hope you find this helpful!

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