In OCD, intrusive and obsessive thoughts can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. They often trigger a cycle of anxiety and compulsive behavior aimed at alleviating that discomfort. However, when we respond to these thoughts with fear, anxiety, or avoidance, we reinforce the idea that they hold significant power over us. This reaction tells our brains, “Thanks for keeping me safe, we’d better watch out for this,” leading to an escalation of obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Conversely, treating these thoughts with less gravity - like the students confronting boggarts - we can send a message to our brains that these fears are not as significant as they may seem.
All tagged obsessions
On the one hand, nobody’s OCD is exactly the same, and it can be confusing to determine what is an “OCD thought” or an “OCD compulsion”. IOCDF’s compulsive activities checklist includes 207 compulsions regularly seen in people with OCD. That’s, like, 206 more than most people realize exists. And if your compulsion is too “out there” to make the cut, there’s a free-response section eagerly awaiting your input. Now, let’s get something clear- no compulsion is too “out there”. Unique and complex compulsions are typically a sign of a healthy, creative, but overprotective brain. In fact, the content of your OCD is only a small piece of the puzzle.