Hello everyone!

[Rafael_]

Hello, I joined this community today to learn tips or tools to avoid this condition I'm recently struggling with. What are way into dealing with compulsive or intrusive thoughts?

[LuvSun]

Welcome Rafael! You have come to a great place with the forum. You will get lots of help and suggestions. I recommend you search through the forum on past posts regarding your particular worries. Are you getting any professional therapy? There is also a wealth of info online and through books on OCD.

[Rafael_ in reply to LuvSun]

I'm glad to hear, what are good picks I could book from now on? I'm not too great in finding material related to it, I've been watching some videos from Doc Snipes but no clue where should I look next besides this forum. I'm not getting any therapy currently, I plan on getting psychotherapy evaluation in January and tell them about this condition.

[LuvSun in reply to Rafael_]

One of my favorite books is “Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”by Jonathan Grayson. There are many others- just google OCD books.

[Rafael_ in reply to LuvSun]

Very good read, thank you

[TomFed]

Books:

"Rewire Your OCD brain" by Catherine Pittman and William Youngs.

"Brain Lock" by Jeffrey Schwartz. Dr.Schwartz is the pioneer of OCD treatment, here you can read more about the 4-step technique he developed together with his patients

hope4ocd.com/foursteps.php

discovermagazine.com/mind/r...

I also listen to a few OCD and anxiety themed podcasts. You can subscribe to them on Apple podcasts or other pod apps like Podbean:

"The OCD Stories"

"OCD Straight Talk"

If you feel it is quite likely you have OCD, I'd suggest you to look for the ERP therapist in your area or online through apps like NOCD. ERP is the golden standard for OCD psychotherapy treatment. It's not a one-in-all answer, but most OCD folks who learn to apply ERP tools in their daily lives find it tremendously helpful.

Hope this helps!

[Rafael_ in reply to TomFed]

Thank you, unfortunately I can't afford to buy pod apps to listen to or buy enough to get through therapy on my own. I'll try to read those pages later today

[TomFed in reply to Rafael_]

Fortunately, my mentioned podcasts and podcast apps are for free.

[Rafael_ in reply to TomFed]

Noted, I'll give them a listen for a while

[Natureloverpeace]

One of the most recommended books by OCD experts is Freedom from OCD by Jonathan Grayson, Ph.D. iocdf.org is a great resource.

[Mcfly64]

Hi Rafael. A book called Brainlock by Jeffrey M Schwarz could be helpful as well.

[Rafael_ in reply to Mcfly64]

Great, I'll make sure this is read too

[FirstResponder23]

Hello,

The biggest advice I can offer is to never ditch one strategy. Sometimes a strategy will work and sometimes it doesn’t. OCD is constantly changing in order to try and get our attention. The biggest thing that has helped is labeling the ocd as something external. Picturing it like a physical blob. And then from there having a conversation with it. Telling it that I hear all the things it’s trying to tell me and worry about. I then boss it back and tell it I do not have time to listen to its complaints and that I am moving on with my day.

[Rafael_ in reply to FirstResponder23]

Glad to hear, my strategy I've been seeing is to stopping the "automation" of everything I do has been making me feel way less stressed out. It's a little bit of the opposite for me, the ocd adult brain is the one that's hovering and talking over that emotional mess.

[FirstResponder23 in reply to Rafael_]

That’s good you found something that helps. And yes, I know the emotional part very well. My ocd loves to attach itself to the emotions and get me riled up. But I have learned (and still working on) taking the emotion out and leaning into uncertainty rather then sitting in the fear and other emotions that come along.

[Rafael_ in reply to FirstResponder23]

Anything helps, this is great for helping me to stop thinking that I need to be "ready" in order to be expressing those emotions.

[tenplay1 in reply to Rafael_]

Regarding emotions - I find that when faced with an unexpected situation that I don't like, I have trouble controlling my emotions without someone noticing. The OCD feeds on this and I must quickly come back in the moment in order to hide my emotions.

[tenplay1 in reply to FirstResponder23]

I like this idea of thinking. I picture OCD as a demon. It's a brat and always wants to have control.

[Rafael_ in reply to tenplay1]

I get the feeling, mine is an angry adult trying to people please and getting rid of things that make me happy for someone else

[tenplay1 in reply to Rafael_]

Yes, it likes to take what we like the most.

[Sallyskins]

So far no one has come up with a cure for OCD but it can be managed, and you can live an (almost) normal life.

Keep busy without overdoing things, as OCD loves idleness.

Try to push yourself to go against the OCD - but go at your own pace. To stretch yourself just a little is helpful. Then stretch yourself a little more the next day. Gradually doing this helps you to reclaim your life.

If OCD has you in its grip, remember that the anxiety will swell and increase and then subside. Don't keep hold of the OCD thought - don't go over it in your head, or try to rationalize it. Don't push it away, either - the more you do, the more it bounces back. Acknowledge it, then ignore it - it's as though it gets fed up with your not paying it enough attention, and then it goes away of its own accord.

For the intrusive thoughts, try Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts by Sally M Winston and Martin N Self - it can be bought off the internet.

[Rafael_ in reply to Sallyskins]

I try to stay in the present by not dwelling and enabling that ocd urge, but when I try to be busy, I end up rattling myself over staying calm. Urge surfing sounds similar to what you say, mind you when the anxiety peaks I step back for 5 mins then go back to what I was doing.

I've been recommended a few books but I don't think I can spend any allowance right now.

[Sallyskins in reply to Rafael_]

I note that you're in Puerto Rico. It may be possible to get cheap second hand books from abebooks.com - but postage might be quite expensive from the USA.

[Rafael_ in reply to Sallyskins]

Honestly, in the future I might be able to, but right now I'm not a good place to spend money on myself, I'll note this down though

[Natureloverpeace in reply to Rafael_]

If buying books isn’t an option right now due to cost, Jonathan Grayson, one of the most respected OCD experts, has some free, short videos on YouTube. Also, ocdchallenge.com is a free online program created by an OCD specialist.

[Rafael_ in reply to Natureloverpeace]

Ah, I'll keep those in mind as well

[PaperTigers]

I recommend Mark Dejesus on YouTube. He approaches things from a Christian perspective but has very good information. I wish you the best.