Unexpected Exposure

[tenplay1]

Hi everyone,

Lately, I've been dealing with numbers (I won't specify about what because that can make the OCD worse). Occasionally, I can get by if I choose to accept the thoughts and then let them go. Other times and days later, I will ruminate about the scenario and try to justify the thought. For example, I am questioning myself. Did this person say this or that? The uncertainty and the trigger word(s) is what gets me caught in a neverending loop. Any other coping ideas besides exercising and writing down thoughts? Thanks

Rob

[deValentin]

I know that, when the stakes are objectively high (your health or source of income is at stakes), it's important to get some certainties to appease our mind. But when the uncertainty concerns matters where the stakes are objectively low (did this person say this or that? unless this person is your boss or your doctor talking about your future), have you tried getting used to it? I find that an uncertainty I'm used to is not as nearly disturbing as a fresh one.

[tenplay1 in reply to deValentin]

I meant to reply earlier, but got busy.

Thanks for your message.

This is true that there are more important things in life. I find connections and things that relate with numbers. For example, this number or dollar amount relates to this or that situation. It can also be certain phrases or words that I dislike. Then, I get a flashback of a scene or something that I don't like. I get a certain jump scare in my nervous system. These are old obsessions that I never got used to. I guess more exposure to these situations will help.

[deValentin in reply to tenplay1]

"La manie de la précision" as the French call it (precision mania) is one characteristic of OCD. People suffering from it are precoccupied making objectively insignificant connections with a lot of things like, for instance, numbers and letters of license plates, instead on focusing on more important topics or activities. It takes a significant portion of their time, which is distressing to them in the long term. However, it provides them in the short term for some kind of emotional relief because, while doing it, they don't have to think about the problems in their lives, and precision appeases their minds for a while. They may also think that once they're done with it, they may be able to return to a more functional life, but it's a false hope, because there seems to be no end to it. Morever, they think they can't help it.

You're right, exposure and response prevention (ERP) seems, so far, the best tool to treat that condition. Personally, I'd like to add some acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) because it's not just as matter of stopping compulsions, people also need to learn to focus, to a reasonable degree, on what 's really important for them in life.

[tenplay1 in reply to deValentin]

Thanks for the helpful explanation.

Yes, that's true. We need to accept the uncertainty. We can go through the exposure and redirect afterwards. My problem seems to be stuck on thinking about the situation that bothered me that day and coming back to it days or weeks later. Even though I accepted that I can't go back and replay the situation. I try not to delve deeper in analyzing the situation. This usually happens until another OCD event takes place of the other one.