Thank you so much for this. Honestly, the OCD bodily sensations/urges associated with intrusive thoughts have been the hardest part of all of this - and hearing your explanation of what they are and why they happen is tremendously helpful!
I’m glad it was helpful. Yes we need to learn that these sensations are no different to the intrusive thoughts or images, respond without compulsions or struggle and stay focused on values and life goals. Hopefully this video also helps people to be more self-compassionate as there is so much shame that goes with OCD and compassion helps so much…
Feels so real...I know that feeling. I found out I had OCD when I was 15, and it didn't make sense to me, because I always thought OCD was just silly stuff, like repetitively checking things, being a germ freak, and organizing/arranging things a certain way to your preference. It never would've occurred to me that OCD can be pretty dark. SO many times in a crowded place, my younger self wanted to shove people out of my way because they were invading my personal space and access (though I never did it). Once, it _felt_ like I attempted to risk an old woman's safety when I thought "screw it" and went ahead past her. Immediately I felt guiIty. I didn't bump into her and she was fine, but the possibility that I took the risk---it felt so real. Did I _consciously_ plan it out of frustration? Or was there a conscious/subconscious confusion *_in the moment?_* I would NEVER hurt an elderly woman; I would've apologized immediately if I had knocked into her and helped her up. I felt like a bad person. It made me wonder if I would grow up vicious and shove people or hurt them. I'd had my thoughts in the crowds, but they were self-venting in image. Now, I'm just confused. OCD is both comedic AND dark? Sometimes you're worried about something silly and lame, sometimes you're worried you did something eviI? The combo for a disorder is just so random and contradictory.
The mind does come up with some bizarre thoughts, associations and chains of thought. The key is to try to step outside all of it with skills and ERP and engage in values and goals that are simple and without a lot of doubt and rumination…
@@johnrainsman6650 the action of engaging attention onto things you value rather than checking and analysing the sensations. The action of accepting the intrusive sensations just like intrusive thoughts and not responding with compulsions. The choice of following values, life goals, who they are when they are not doubting and ruminating and worrying (the people they want to spend time with, the life goals they have, the important life domains like family work play health) choosing to orientate attention and action back to these things rather than mental compulsions about the sensations...
The more work I am doing on my recovery, the more I understand just how brilliant you are in this practice; my brain has intensified the more I am doing the work, and I am learning even when I can't defuse, it's okay, I can continue through the discomfort, through the uncomfortable, the goal is not to get rid of it. My brain has thrown depersonalisation and derealisation, panic attacks, and anxiety attacks. It's all the same: acceptance. I love how you even address that resentment becomes a compulsion, anger becomes a compulsion, and we are fighting and creating more and more suffering. I refuse to give in to OCD; I do not need certainty in life. And thanks to you, Jonny, I am seeing that more and more, and I am okay if OCD comes in total volume tomorrow, it's a part of the journey. And I will say this openly: I have experienced EVERY SINGLE THEME. The themes do not matter, it is all the same. Sticking to the values repeatedly , dedication, loyalty, commitment , adventurous, loving, and living, to name a few. Also watch out for when your brain says you do not need to practice skills, often its OCD wanting you to back down, get back to the skills and practice and practice Thank you Jonny
That sounds awesome Shaun. It seems that you’ve been putting in the hours of practice and applying your skills in the moment and you’re starting to get momentum in your recovery. That’s so brilliant to hear and I bet you are far more connected to your values as you deepen these breakthroughs. Keep your incredible determination going, keep the self-compassion flowing and thanks for sharing to inspire others in their hard work
Thank-you so much for addressing this aspect of OCD. You don't hear as much about "testing" as some of the other OCD related topics and there can be a certain about of shame surrounding this topic. As someone who has done mental testing, it's a relief to hear it addressed and normalized as part of OCD.
@@nancyburkhart1070 our 10 week course is attended by people internationally and then you are able to join our monthly ACT skills and ERP group after that www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/low-cost-ocd-groups
Great insight Jonny & covers so much. Life is going very well cant thank you enough for our work years ago. still dip in & out stream also on work & other life stuff nowadays. & erp also. Lots of ACT techniques to diffuse from anything really. 🙌🏻
Great to hear your doing well and continuing to practice and master your skills. So much kindness and warmth you can bring to your life using your skills and following your values (rather than being stuck in compulsions and avoidance) 🙌🏽
From the age of 19 I had an intrusive thought of “what if I am gay” since then through constant self testing I began to over time develop the arousal and even attraction feelings that I didn’t want yet the only thing missing is pleasure which reminds me that this isn’t what I want yet when I get caught up in the testing I get so confused because the feeling I don’t want seem to happen when at the beginning I was getting reassurance from these tests it’s just so distressing how it all came from one doubting thought that opened up this conversation in my mind which has taken on a life of its own
You have articulated really well why all ocd compulsions backfire from giving reassurance to eventually confusing and giving more doubt and distress. Set yourself the challenge to work on reducing the mental compulsions (see the ocd skills playlist on this channel and particularly defusion, dipping in and out of the stream, values based exposure) and see what happens as you let go of trying to solve the problem and instead refocusing on life goals and valued actions…
Thank you so much for this. Honestly, the OCD bodily sensations/urges associated with intrusive thoughts have been the hardest part of all of this - and hearing your explanation of what they are and why they happen is tremendously helpful!
I’m glad it was helpful. Yes we need to learn that these sensations are no different to the intrusive thoughts or images, respond without compulsions or struggle and stay focused on values and life goals. Hopefully this video also helps people to be more self-compassionate as there is so much shame that goes with OCD and compassion helps so much…
Feels so real...I know that feeling. I found out I had OCD when I was 15, and it didn't make sense to me, because I always thought OCD was just silly stuff, like repetitively checking things, being a germ freak, and organizing/arranging things a certain way to your preference. It never would've occurred to me that OCD can be pretty dark. SO many times in a crowded place, my younger self wanted to shove people out of my way because they were invading my personal space and access (though I never did it). Once, it _felt_ like I attempted to risk an old woman's safety when I thought "screw it" and went ahead past her. Immediately I felt guiIty. I didn't bump into her and she was fine, but the possibility that I took the risk---it felt so real. Did I _consciously_ plan it out of frustration? Or was there a conscious/subconscious confusion *_in the moment?_* I would NEVER hurt an elderly woman; I would've apologized immediately if I had knocked into her and helped her up. I felt like a bad person. It made me wonder if I would grow up vicious and shove people or hurt them. I'd had my thoughts in the crowds, but they were self-venting in image. Now, I'm just confused. OCD is both comedic AND dark? Sometimes you're worried about something silly and lame, sometimes you're worried you did something eviI? The combo for a disorder is just so random and contradictory.
The mind does come up with some bizarre thoughts, associations and chains of thought. The key is to try to step outside all of it with skills and ERP and engage in values and goals that are simple and without a lot of doubt and rumination…
@ but what about actions and choices IN THE MOMENT?
@@johnrainsman6650 the action of engaging attention onto things you value rather than checking and analysing the sensations. The action of accepting the intrusive sensations just like intrusive thoughts and not responding with compulsions. The choice of following values, life goals, who they are when they are not doubting and ruminating and worrying (the people they want to spend time with, the life goals they have, the important life domains like family work play health) choosing to orientate attention and action back to these things rather than mental compulsions about the sensations...
@@jonnysaytherapy hold on, I don’t understand. You gotta slow down a bit And speak plainly.
The more work I am doing on my recovery, the more I understand just how brilliant you are in this practice; my brain has intensified the more I am doing the work, and I am learning even when I can't defuse, it's okay, I can continue through the discomfort, through the uncomfortable, the goal is not to get rid of it. My brain has thrown depersonalisation and derealisation, panic attacks, and anxiety attacks. It's all the same: acceptance. I love how you even address that resentment becomes a compulsion, anger becomes a compulsion, and we are fighting and creating more and more suffering. I refuse to give in to OCD; I do not need certainty in life. And thanks to you, Jonny, I am seeing that more and more, and I am okay if OCD comes in total volume tomorrow, it's a part of the journey.
And I will say this openly: I have experienced EVERY SINGLE THEME. The themes do not matter, it is all the same.
Sticking to the values repeatedly
, dedication, loyalty, commitment
, adventurous, loving, and living, to name a few.
Also watch out for when your brain says you do not need to practice skills, often its OCD wanting you to back down, get back to the skills and practice and practice
Thank you Jonny
That sounds awesome Shaun. It seems that you’ve been putting in the hours of practice and applying your skills in the moment and you’re starting to get momentum in your recovery. That’s so brilliant to hear and I bet you are far more connected to your values as you deepen these breakthroughs. Keep your incredible determination going, keep the self-compassion flowing and thanks for sharing to inspire others in their hard work
Thank-you so much for addressing this aspect of OCD. You don't hear as much about "testing" as some of the other OCD related topics and there can be a certain about of shame surrounding this topic. As someone who has done mental testing, it's a relief to hear it addressed and normalized as part of OCD.
I’m glad you found it helpful and hope your continuing to practice your recovery skills and self compassion in response to this tricky area
Do you ever do group therapy with people who live internationally?
@@nancyburkhart1070 our 10 week course is attended by people internationally and then you are able to join our monthly ACT skills and ERP group after that www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/low-cost-ocd-groups
@@jonnysaytherapywonderful! I’ll check it out! 😊
Great insight Jonny & covers so much.
Life is going very well cant thank you enough for our work years ago.
still dip in & out stream also on work & other life stuff nowadays. & erp also.
Lots of ACT techniques to diffuse from anything really. 🙌🏻
Great to hear your doing well and continuing to practice and master your skills. So much kindness and warmth you can bring to your life using your skills and following your values (rather than being stuck in compulsions and avoidance) 🙌🏽
thanks for the information.. where did you become educated with the knowledge your sharing?
This is the best place if you want to hear more about my journey with OCD and therapy www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/blog/podcast-appearances
@@jonnysaytherapy thanks for the information
Thanks sir 🙏
You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback
From the age of 19 I had an intrusive thought of “what if I am gay” since then through constant self testing I began to over time develop the arousal and even attraction feelings that I didn’t want yet the only thing missing is pleasure which reminds me that this isn’t what I want yet when I get caught up in the testing I get so confused because the feeling I don’t want seem to happen when at the beginning I was getting reassurance from these tests it’s just so distressing how it all came from one doubting thought that opened up this conversation in my mind which has taken on a life of its own
You have articulated really well why all ocd compulsions backfire from giving reassurance to eventually confusing and giving more doubt and distress. Set yourself the challenge to work on reducing the mental compulsions (see the ocd skills playlist on this channel and particularly defusion, dipping in and out of the stream, values based exposure) and see what happens as you let go of trying to solve the problem and instead refocusing on life goals and valued actions…