How do you tolerate discomfort when you have OCD? with Dr. Patrick McGrath and Jon Hershfield 

How are you doing now?

I can so relate. Many times certain obsessions I have get more intense when I'm talking to people or just in the presence of others This happens because the OCD knows those are the times I will be least tolerant of experiencing intrusive, obsessional thoughts because I want to focus on the present situation and I want to appear normal. In my case it's very clear that OCD is such a powerful force largely, if not totally, because I'm not willing to experience my mind obsessing and causing me all this pain and discomfort. Sadly, I've had some very embarrassing situations happen when I lost concentration as a result.

@@smurfette1509 What you wrote here is exactly what I would write. I’ve had countless experiences in social or professional situations that I’ve stumbled through. It’s really a disease of having two brains! At this.point I become nervous simply because I’m not sure if the ocd brain is going to get triggered and ruin an otherwise simple experience. I’ve developed ptsd based on ocd. The only solution if you want to call it that, because it hasn’t solved anything only mitigated it is remembering who and what you are not. Basically a non-dualistic perspective to life. Much love…

@@renakmans3521 I wish you much love too. You're definitely not alone. Based on a comment I heard very recently (I think from a video from Ali Greymond, who has very good videos on OCD just like Dr. McGrath) is we have a brain and a soul. If one can use the soul, which I consider who we really are, to make decisions on what thoughts the brain is throwing at us is worth paying attention to and which thoughts to work on ignoring (through ERP) then we can recover to some degree from OCD. So it's probably the same as the two brain philosophy your brought up, just stated in a different way. I'm looking to get up the courage to do ERP and I am presently trying to get into an intensive treatment program. But, again, that illustrates how we are not our OCD. We are not the random scary and disturbing thoughts that the brain throws at us that we get stuck on. And it's scary to think that people who don't have OCD or do not treat OCD may not understand that though these days people may be more understanding as info spreads about this disorder. But it is good to know that other people really do understand. I so hope you do not let this OCD and its effects make you feel bad about yourself as it can so easily do for a number of reasons. I have felt pulled in that direction for much of my life. I'm older so I grew up without the internet and without much known about OCD. I don't even think there was name for it as I was growing up until maybe around high school and seeing my life go off the rails because of this disorder. Make sure you are self-compassionate at all times 💕You are very brave and courageous for just living with OCD and PTSD no matter what.

@@smurfette1509 Thank you for the nice words of encouragement! Yea I’m in my 50’s and been through a ton even though I’m somewhat successful in my profession. I’m doing more ERP now as that’s the gold standard for OCD. I definitely would encourage it for you and anyone else. Listening to our thoughts and feelings is a lost cause especially when you suffer from this but even otherwise, according to non-dualistic or yogic traditions. So we’re in good hands when it comes to accepting any and all thoughts as thoughts:-) I hope the ERP helps you as I’m pretty sure it will. ❤️