- by nohsemperlux
Table of Contents
ToggleThe Process Takes Time
This is the most important part of overcoming OCD. While exact pathophysiology of OCD has not been revealed yet, I personally believe that OCD arises as a result of a deficiency in cognitive energy. The lack of energy results in the inability to differentiate between reality and imagination. In order to restore the cognitive energy, you must strengthen the muscles of your mind, and the process is analogous to how you would strengthen your muscles through resistance exercises. It would take time. It would take effort. You must do it regularly, and for a prolonged period of time. One thing is clear. Just like how you’ll definitely gain muscle as a result of rigorous training, you’ll get your desired result by following the mental exercises I prescribe you.
How To Identify OCD Thoughts
One astonishing fact about OCD is that, whether a thought is OCD or not does not depend on the content of the thought. It is about the emotion that the thought summons. A thought is OCD, not when you feel guilty, miserable or useless, but when the thought makes you feel guilty, miserable or useless. If you feel intense anxiety as a result of having a thought, the thought definitely is OCD. It doesn’t matter how logical the thought seems. The content doesn’t matter. It’s about the emotion that the thought brings.
Don’t Trust OCD
OCD is not a trustworthy friend. OCD is a liar. OCD will tell you, “If you follow my advice, your life will be better off”. However, every single time you do as OCD tells you, it is your pain that intensifies, not your happiness.
How To Deal With Perpetual Uncertainty
You must accept the fact that you are not perfect. No human being, no human being can ever have absolute certainty about anything in the world. That’s just what it means to be humans. Humans are imperfect biological organisms that try their best to survive.
How To Ignore The OCD Thoughts
If you try to ignore your OCD by thinking, “No, it’s just OCD. It’s a wrong thought. I’ll not do my compulsions”, you are not ignoring your OCD thought properly. You must remove it completely from your mind by not arguing with it and not interacting with it at all. Of course, it is a hard task. However, this is a crucial step in overcoming OCD. Indeed, the process is analogous to the process of building muscles. It is painful, yet rewarding.