Taboo Tuesday 3-14-23

[Anxiouslybalanced]

Its time for Taboo Tuesday! I am Krista Reed OCD specialist in Wichita, KS and IOCDF advocate here to give you taboo only topics!

Lets continue with this months theme: This month is “Harmful Identities.”

 Last week I discussed obsessions, so check out last weeks post to learn more.  Let’s chat about compulsions that individuals with this theme might experience.  Compulsions are merely to bring down the distress the person experiences or to make “certain” that the bad things wont happen. 

Some behavioral compulsions might include: Googling to see if anyone reported you for a crime that you are worried you committed, avoiding any harmful movies, songs, tv shows; texting or calling family members to make sure you did not harm them, confessing to having these thoughts either to loved ones or even a religious leaders; Mental compulsions might include: mentally reviewing that you did not cause harm to anyone, silently checking for marks or cuts on others that you fear you caused, and constant reassurance that you are not a harmful person. 

 The important thing to know here is that you are not alone.  

Check out next week’s taboo Tuesday we I discuss in vivo exposures.

Remember- Stigma and shame die where communication and validation live ❤️

[musicspeaks11]

Hello there, I deal with the same thing in regards to watching movies, listening to certain songs, etc that have violent words/ references in them. I know these thoughts are all irrational, but it is still very difficult to listen/ watch something I love, without being bugged by it. For example, I like watching batman movies a lot, but for some reason my brain makes me fee like I cannot watch them, because there is violence in them. I know it is not real, and it is silly, but my ocd thinks otherwise lol.

I am getting better at moving through it every day, but it is very depressing. I have a councilor and a good psychiatrist, and use many strategies, but right now that's just not working. Any tips?

[SCC1 in reply to musicspeaks11]

Hi musicspeaks11. I am in a similar situation as you. Movies and TV shows trigger me also. I love watching crime stories, but the violence in them causes my thoughts to go into "harm mode".

I don't want to have to stop watching what I like because of this. I have told myself, that it is ridiculous that I should have to/have had to stop enjoying something BC I fear it. I have gotten angry at my fears and have told myself that I'm pushing through this BC I want to watch this show!

I still have lingering, uncomfortable thoughts and anxiety BC of the content of the show, and I am not always successful in continuing to watch it, but I have gotten through it many times just BC of the fact that I am tired of my thoughts controlling me.

I think every time a situation presents itself where you have trouble w/ the content of the show/movie, try to push through each time, and eventually it will become easier to overcome your fears. It might even become a habit that you can just enjoy a show w/out a problem!

I hope the best for you! 😊

[Hidden]

Some religious leaders are toxic . Our church had a senior pastor who was accosting young men for 30 plus years and the higher leadership knew about for a long time. Finally it was revealed and church almost collapsed. 😥

[Anxiouslybalanced in reply to Hidden]

sadly you are correct; it’s disheartening. I am sorry your church had such a tragedy