Pure-O: Hello, I've been struggling with... - My OCD Community

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Pure-O

ReadyFreddy profile image
2 Replies

Hello,

I've been struggling with silly, yet unforgiving, pure-o obsessions over the last month or two. Some of them, I know are crazy and even stupid, but are things like: "I must find the best way to cure any mental health condition, I must be 'perfectly' happy (whatever that means), I must find that 'just-right' feeling, I cannot simply 'accept' my emotions," and more. Simply, my obsessions are around treating OCD itself. Even my self-directed ERP has become a compulsion! It's like OCD's last attempt at keeping itself alive in my brain. I've resorted to compulsions such as writing this post (hoping that social interaction is the 100% cure and answer to my obsessions), meditating has become a compulsion, reading self-help books have become a compulsion, and more. When I 'lock on' to one of these methods, they become obsessive and I try to find reassurance that whatever method I choose (meditating, social support, ERP, supplements, etc. is the single fix-all solution. Of course, it's only a matter of time before I discover it's not the case: that is, there is logically a combination of useful treatment strategies. Yet, my persistent OCD insists I must find one and only one and I cannot be happy until I do so. I am also "not allowed" to use a combination of treatment approaches. Of course, I know how illogical all of this is. Yet, my OCD says otherwise. I have great difficulty concentrating on meaningful tasks without my OCD having something to say about my lack of attention on it.

I will add that my OCD was much MUCH more severe in my younger years and overall I have significantly reduced it, relatively speaking, over the last two years or so. I am certainly happier now than before at least.

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ReadyFreddy profile image
ReadyFreddy
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2 Replies
OCDAdvocateKatie profile image
OCDAdvocateKatieIOCDF Advocate

He @ReadyFreddy! I’m so sorry you are struggling. None of your obsessions are stupid - OCD is just really, really tough! And OCD can absolutely attach to the treatment itself. I’ve been there…wanting to do all of the treatments perfectly and wanting to make sure I’m doing the right one. What would it look like to intentionally do some of your treatments imperfectly? And are you currently seeing a treatment provider?

Eli_E profile image
Eli_E

Hi! just wanted to let you know that my OCD has also attached to my treatment in that I feel the urge to find the right way to "solve" my ocd. I'm sorry you are struggling with this as well but know that you are not alone!

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