Positive intrusive thoughts ocd how to#
Positive intrusive thoughts ocd windows#

If you are supporting someone with OCD and would like to know how to help see our Supporting Loved Ones page.You find yourself doing things that feel excessive or irrational but you would find it difficult to stop? Do you experience worrying thoughts that come out of nowhere and leave you feeling frightened or anxious? Are these persistent thoughts or behaviours robbing you of your free time, energy or peace of mind? Are you seeking help and treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?Īlthough all of us to some degree have developed rituals and routines, such as our morning routines of washing, dressing and leaving the house. It can have a huge impact on the family, friends and colleagues of those suffering as well. Those with OCD can often recognise that their fears or behaviours are excessive or irrational, but the associated distress is so strong that it feels almost impossible to break the cycle.Įxtensive research has shown that OCD is actually very treatable using Guided Self Help or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. However this only becomes a problem when it starts to impact our life or the lives’ of others around us. Most of us will experience these “intrusive thoughts”, and we may even on occasion respond to this i.e an urge to straighten the papers on a desk or repeatedly check our hair straighteners are off. Inability to throw items away, or urge to acquire items (hoarding).Avoidance (avoiding pictures of children or the opposite sex or avoiding public toilets).Sometimes this involves certain words, mantras, rhythms or tunes Replacing ‘bad’ or unwanted thoughts with ‘good’ thought or prayer.Repeated actions (flicking a light switch on and off, retracing steps whilst trying to have a good thought).Counting (sometimes this is linked to having “good” and “bad” numbers).Cleaning and washing (hands, the house etc).Checking (doors, windows, physical sensations and changes, written work etc).However the relief is often short lived, and the thoughts or images come back. Compulsions are completed with the aim to reduce emotional and physical distress, as well sometime to prevent harm or bad things from happening. Sometimes these compulsions are “behavioural” where we take physical action (such as checking taps), however sometimes the compulsion just happens in our head (mentally saying a special word).

A feeling that there is special significance or attachment to certain itemsĬompulsions are what we do in response to the unpleasant thought, which can be repetitive and sometimes appear completely unrelated to the thought.Blasphemous thoughts, doubts or just generally thoughts that go against your religious or moral beliefs.running someone over in the road, writing inappropriate content in written work)

A fear that we have inadvertently done something ‘bad’ without our awareness (i.e.An urge for things to “feel right”, for example that things which are not in a certain order or symmetrical.

Positive intrusive thoughts ocd windows#

Thoughts or images that ones actions, or lack of action may cause harm to others such as causing a gas explosion or fire, or doors or windows being left open.

Thoughts of being contaminated by germs, dirt, dangerous substances or illnesses or bad thoughts.

Thoughts to directly harm oneself or others.

These thoughts cause intense feelings of anxiety and/or physical symptoms which compel the person to act in response to them. However those with OCD find these thoughts particularly distressing and are troubled by them on a frequent basis. Having these occasional thoughts on their own are actually very common and we often call them “intrusive thoughts”. Obsessions are unwelcome and sometimes unpleasant thoughts, images, urges or doubts that spring into our mind on a repeated basis. The key features of OCD are obsessions and compulsions. Who we help Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)