Bad thoughts

[vencedora]

Does anyone here have seven triggers when they see bad news on the internet or on TV? I saw a news story here about a niece who killed her uncle by pouring hot oil in his ear, and then the trigger immediately came like "you could do that to your husband". Oh, man, why would I have such a bad thought about him, who is one of the people I love the most and want the best for? This makes me so bad and distressed, I will never get used to it. Is this really a symptom of OCD?

[vencedora]

Sorry for the writing, I only speak Portuguese (BRAZIL) and to speak here I have to use Google Translate.

[deValentin in reply to vencedora]

Don't worry. Google Translate is doing a good job. I believe the only mistake is that it said'"seven triggers" instead of "severe triggers". It doesn't prevent your message from being understood, though.

If your intrusive thoughts are distressing and impairing, then it's OCD. Those are two characteristics of OCD.

The possibility I may do something unthinkable came to my mind before, like it came, I'm sure, to other people's mind. But, given my past, I believe it would be out of character for me to do that, so I don't worry about it.

However, I believe that you want to be absolutely sure it won't happen, and, as there are no absolute certainties in life, you worry about it. Seeking excessive reassurance it won't happen may bring you some mental comfort in the short term, but, in the long term, it brings you more discomfort because it prevents you from functioning reasonably well in life and undermines your self-confidence. You may be telling yourself, "if I can't control my thoughts, how will I be able to control my actions" ? Then, you fall in a downward spiral because that stimulates your scary thoughts. Hence, the importance not to overreact to triggers from the start.

[vencedora in reply to deValentin]

You pretty much described the whole spiral I've been going through, my friend! Thank you for your words and great explanations.

[deValentin in reply to vencedora]

You're welcome. I believe many mental disorders like anorexia, gambling or substance-use disorder take form as a spiral, and, once you're caught in it, it's difficult to free oneself from its grip. The good news is that, as there are unhealthy spirals, there are also healthy spirals. It feels good to be caught in the last ones.

[LuvSun]

It’s just the intrusive annoying thoughts that OCD places in your mind. Just ignore them!

[vencedora in reply to LuvSun]

I am grateful for your words and explanations.

[PaperTigers]

OCD seems to attack the things we care about the most, from what I have experienced and seen others discuss here, it’s common with this disorder and does not reflect what’s in your heart. I’m sure you love your husband deeply and I’m sorry the thoughts are causing so much distress.

[vencedora in reply to PaperTigers]

I am grateful for your words and explanations.

[Phoenyx]

Yes, OCD works by triggers. That’s how we get bad thoughts stuck in our minds. And yes, it’s OCD what you are describing. I’m sorry

[vencedora in reply to Phoenyx]

I am grateful for your words and explanations.