Taboo Tuesday 4-11-23

[Anxiouslybalanced]

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

Let’s continue with this month’s theme: Intrusive Attractions- the fear of becoming attracted to someone or something you really do not desire.

 Check out last week’s post about intrusive attraction obsessions if you missed it! 

Today I want to chat about compulsions these individuals might experience- what might the individual do to bring the distress of the obsession down OR to “make certain” that the bad thing won’t happen.  

 Examples of behavioral compulsions might be:Having sex with a partner to reassure self that the intrusive attraction is not real.  Avoiding being around the person or thing that the obsession has attached itself to. Tapping to “undo” or “feel right” anytime an obsession pops up.  Mental compulsions might be mentally reviewing if you accidently acted on any of these thoughts in the past.  Praying and asking forgiveness for these thoughts. 

 Because the doubts that these obsessions bring are so intense, compulsions will not simply “go away on their own” or “pass with time”- therapy is necessary with a trained OCD specialist.   

Check out next week’s taboo Tuesday as I discuss in vivo exposures examples for treatment.

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