Intrusive Images

I am not officially diagnosed as OCD, and I am new to the community.

Much of what I have read discusses anxiety provoking intrusive thoughts. I am having a recurring image come to me that provokes what I would call disgust more than anxiety. The image is of cuts or slashes on my skin, especially around my knees, but no damage is truly there. I see the image daily, sometimes it feels like very frequently, but it bothers me that it won't go away. I don't feel I'm going to harm myself or anything, but the image itself makes me very uncomfortable, as long as the feeling that it won't stop coming.

Does anyone have experience with images like this? Did you approach treatment the same way as for other intrusive thoughts? i.e. ERP, acceptance, etc...

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate]

Welcome PhysicalTherapy123,

In my experience, not all intrusive thoughts cause anxiety. Some of mine provoke disgust or even a feeling of something being off or not right.

It sounds like the thoughts are causing you some distress. Have you considered looking into a therapist?

[Mcfly64 in reply to alexandraisobsessed]

Hi just a question for you. I have seen the word therapist a few times. By therapist do you mean a psychologist? I’m in Australia I see a psychiatrist who oversees my medication and a psychologist for therapy.