Taboo Tuesday 3-21-23

[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 compulsions, so check out last weeks post to learn more. 

Let’s chat about in vivo (real life) exposures  that individuals may practice while in treatment. In vivo exposures are tangible and/or done behaviorally.  

For example: Fear of becoming a serial killer? Watch a documentary on one.  Impulse to shout out something harmful? Write the harmful thing down over and over again; maybe even carry it around in your pocket while you are in public. Are you someone who googles excessively because of this obsession? Try not googling for a full 24 hours.  Fear of accidently strangling a loved one? Sit by then, hug then, cuddle with them.  

Keeping in vivo exposures valued based is an important and beautiful way to working through treatment. 

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

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

[SCC1]

I have been trying to do things just like you have mentioned; one, especially, about me watching a program about crime/related subject matter, or things that might trigger my OCD. I force myself to look at the TV when there is something going on that would trigger my fears of doing harm. Or I don't do a compulsion that would ease my mind of not doing harm to someone else.

It feels unnatural to do, but I still try not to give in to my fears. I do things that make me feel uncomfortable so I can train my brain to think that nothing will happen if I go through w/ a behavior that I'm scared will result in harm of some kind.

I also have been trying to make myself write/text things, that before I would never do, BC I had felt that if I had a bad thought about a harmful situation that could take place, and if I write/text a word/sentence (about anything), that would make it happen.

I'm still struggling w/ these things, but every now and then, I'm successful in not giving in to a compulsion or not avoiding doing something BC I'm afraid harm will come to someone, either from myself or in general.

Your post helped me to know that these are issues that others have, and that they are real issues and not something I'm making up in my mind.

So, thank you for your post!

[LuvSun in reply to SCC1]

Good for you SCC1 💪

[SCC1 in reply to LuvSun]

Thank you, LuvSun!

[Anxiouslybalanced in reply to SCC1]

OCD sucks so much!!! Stick with it!!! You have a whole community behind you 🥰