Many of us have mental compulsions (myself included) that aren't necessarily performed in a way that could be seen or identified as a compulsion. But they're still there, and still quite bothersome.

For me, the most effective thing has been taking two steps to combat them: When those thoughts pop into your head, don't attach meaning to them, and then, if it's possible and doesn't harm anyone or anything like that, do the opposite of whatever you feel compelled to do.

Even if you don't have that extra appraisal like, "if I don't do this, someone will get hurt." It still helps us to see and understand that the outcome of ignoring the compulsions and performing an action that opposes them will not be disaster.

For instance, people with contamination OCD. If their urge is to wash their hands for 10 minutes after touching something they believe to be contaminated, they should not only resist the urge to wash their hands, but take it a step further and touch everything around them without washing their hands. They will be extremely uncomfortable but it will eventually show them that nothing is contaminated and they probably will not get sick.

Does that make sense?

Yes,Thank You, (((((( rosecandy )))) that does make sense....there is a lot of anxiety in getting past the orders though....but i do know it would probably abate with time and practice.

Trust me, I understand. It's not an overnight process. It's very difficult and very demanding so please be patient with yourself. The investment of your time and effort will be worth it, and everyone around you will really appreciate it, too.

If you would ever like to talk about anything, just know that I'm here to support you!

((((( rosecandy ))))

Thank You,it is really hard.

i'm really around no one,except when i see my boyfriend,and my OCD abates when i am with him-so this is not affecting anyone else...except *maybe* people in The Outside World might notice when i act on one of my compulsions...i try very hard to avoid doing it...but my head is so loud when i am Outside...it is why i no longer take a daily walk,,,too loud....

Thank You so much for your support.

Yes, a voice used to come into my head and say "something will happen if you do that" another was "on your head be it" and I felt if I didn't do the ritual something would must definitely happen regarding the situation I was dealing with at the time. I am not as bad now with hearing it come into my head I have slowly learned to ignore it but it takes time and isn't easy but it will get better, best of luck.

Thank You, ((((((( Tesersa )))))

i am so glad this has gotten better for you...it really is overwhelming,even though i rarely have an,'Or else something bad will happen" along with it....