How to resist compulsions and break OCD cycle when intrusive thoughts start ?

[Knight202]

Hello I feel frustrated struggling for OCD since 18 years old now I take fluvoxamine 100 mg 2 tab. every day since 2 months feeling improvement but when intrusive thoughts about religion start I can't let them go without resistance I feel guilty if I don't resist thought and this make cycle of OCD thoughts stronger and wasting more time anyone have advice ?

[SCC1]

Hi Knight202. I feel the same way. I take Luvox, too, 100mg AM and 75mg at bedtime. It's working somewhat, but I also get into the religious cycle. I don't know what your thoughts are about, but mine have to do with harm OCD and religion. That is 1 of my biggest problems.

I would say to accept the thoughts as they come and try not to resist them. Let your mind think "naturally", and try not to hold onto each thought, because that leads into another one and the cycle starts. I can get in these cycles, too, and it's hard to break once you're in one. If you let your OCD thoughts pass without trying to hold them back, eventually they will just be thoughts that don't bother you as much or maybe not at all. You'll be able to think them (or not), but it won't affect you like it is now. It takes awhile, but with a Dr's help and meds, you can be freer from the cycles. I can't say Im at that point, but it's just some advice.

I hope you feel better.

[Knight202 in reply to SCC1]

Thanks the main problem I feel severe guilt if let them go ,I can hold many times but in any time especially morning or under stress I can't sustain .I think CBT with psychologist will be benefit to control ideas and relaxation techniques

[TrueBlue23 in reply to SCC1]

Great reply. This resonated with me so thanks! 👍

[SCC1 in reply to TrueBlue23]

You're welcome and thank you! Im glad I could help 🙂

[deValentin]

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant medication that treats obsessive-compulsive disorder. After you took it, you felt some improvement. That means that some form of underlying depression was at work in your OCD. Depression isn't always perceptible. For instance, if you're feeling energetic doing rituals or ruminating, you may think you're not depressed. The true test of depression is how you feel when you carry out OCD-free activities.

Now you find yourself in a bind. You feel you can't let go religious intrusive thoughts, you feel guilty if you don't resist them. At the same time, you may believe that the best way to get rid of them is not to directly fight unwanted intrusive thoughts, just acknowledge them, and let them go on their own.

I can tell you what I did to solve that type of dilemma: OCD pulling you one way, and your better judgment pulling you in the opposite direction. I realized that OCD was naturally wear-free. In other words, my energy to do ruminating or compulsions would never wear out (unless I did some therapeutic exercises), even when I was stressed and demoralized. On the contrary, the more I was stressed and demoralized, the more energy I had to do my ruminations or compulsions. On the other hand, my desire to live a life in line with my values is subject to wear with the passing of time and the difficulties of everyday life, unless I make regular efforts to live a meaningful and interesting life.

So, I try to renew daily my desire to lead a sensible life by investing in it, which motivates me to wear down my OCD with response prevention and enables me to focus on what I really value in life, and so on. My goal is to get caught in that kind of healthy spiral.

[Knight202]

Thanks 👍