I've only been recently diagnosed with it despite suffering from it for as long as I can remember. My imagination is very quick with vivid detailing and it's gotten plenty of practice at immersing me in those details. It comes in as autopilot but requires effort to break out of and that effort resembles a jolt during sleep to shake off or enact a nightmare. I am in the process of deconstructing OCD beliefs because it's been with me for so long. It is pervasive and takes on many forms. It is not just about what's around the compulsions. It's the entire investment in thought and imagination to the point where my mental real estate is occupied until I see things through in my mind.
Hi - I've just discovered your channel and while I have heard of CBT, ICBT is new to me but it seems really interesting! I've always thought that ERP was the way to go with OCD treatment, but everything you've said actually seems to make much more sense to me. My OCD theme is mostly checking (checking my work/ messages to co-workers for errors, appliances, taps, doors - all the typical stuff!) with mild contamination OCD and perfectonism - one thing that really struck me in this video is it seemed to address something that's always puzzled me, which is how it's possble to be looking at a tap (as an example) and seeing that it is clearly off, but even as I'm looking, my brain doesn't seem to be getting the message - from what I've learned in your videos so far, is this because I'm doubting my senses, or that my imagination is telling me it's off? If you could expand on this a little for me I would appreciate it - also I'd LOVE to see some more videos that address checking and also dealing with anxiety - if you already have some, please point me in the rigth direction! Anyway, you most definitely have a new subscriber!
@fibee8324, Your theory about doubting your senses seems very sound to me! OCD can make you trust the "what if" more than the "what is." I'll definitely add checking to the list of future videos!
This is exactly the problem I face. I believe I’m incompetent. So I get incredibly hard on myself to make myself look in front of others that I am not. I believe I’m a bad person as verbatim, so I do everything morally just to myself to look like to myself that I’m good and do not belong to evil. I wish instead of thinking that they are giving reassurance, the other therapists should opt for the same approach to tell their clients and audience this.
Absolutely. Applying the "reassurance seeking" label to too many behaviors can be a problem in treatment. It's important to spread the word that people with OCD are fully capable of processing information, and resolving doubt. In fact, they do it in all other areas of their life. It's just about replicating that same process in the area of the obsession.
@@OCDspace412 Yes, in fact cognitive behavioural therapy has helped me so much. In my life of 22 years my eyes were opened when my mom merely just got me aware of the fact that other people live completely at peace, they work for enjoyment, etc. This made me aware- oh my god, why do I never feel this way? When I simply got aware of this, I made major progress by aligning my beliefs and my temperament to match with others. But it would have never been possible if I would not have known what was wrong with me and my perception of life and what is right for others and their perception of life. I have also have had experiences where the peace itself dissolved all of my fears and distorted perceptions of reality, instead of me working hard to repair each and every one in a very taxing and never-endingly difficult way.
Great channel Mike. I am surprised its so underrated. I have read your fantastic book on OCD. Could you make a video on OCD and sleep? What is your experience with your clients and their sleep issues?
Thanks Sudha for the kind words! I'm just starting to focus more attention on RU-vid, so hoping to grow the channel! Sleep would be a great future topic. Are you looking for info on how OCD can negatively impact sleep?
@@sudharoy1639 I have a practice and the rules around which countries allow virtual therapy from the U.S. vary country to country. If you know of anyone interested in services, you can direct them to complete the form on our website. Someone will get back to them and explore the options available: pittsburghocdtreatment.com/contact/
Hi, do you know if I-CBT will work on just right or perfectionism OCD? If so, how does it work? I'm having just right OCD for posting comments on social media like Instagram or Facebook where I posted a comment and I kept on deleting it and retyping the same comment until I think it's perfect. Thank you
Contamination can take many forms. It is often a question of why one is doubting whether or not they are clean. There is usually no sensory data indicating that one is dirty, and yet this is doubted. Overcoming contamination from an ICBT perspective also often involves giving oneself permission to not worry about invisible things. This only leads one into the imagination.
