22. OCD Treatment: How to get more certain!

[@23katied]

Thanks for your comments everyone. So sorry about the big gap in uploading. I should be able to do much more regular uploads now.

[@optimistic_psyche1574]

How do you know so much better about this illness? Did you have it anytime in your life? I relate to almost everything you say mam...

[@nononz1479]

Welcome back Katie! It was life-changing watching your old video months ago. Bought your book 'managing OCD for dummy' too! It helps me a lot to soothe my OCD and see it in a new way. Looking forward to seeing more of your work :)

[@onurguzel16]

Appreciate ❤

[@siavashnoorb9604]

Please do more! The words you say and the expertise you share, do change lives for the better; even if you don't know for whom and where it happens. By the way, the new glasses are nice :)

[@raghav3093]

You are a life saver, thank you for the videos. Your video's help me get back on track if I am going off course in my recovery. Thank you so much

[@TM-hl9me]

"Becoming used to discomfort" is a game-changer!

[@jamesjohnstone1224]

Hey just wondering how you’re getting on with your ocd ? Cheers

[@TM-hl9me]

I do not suffer from it anymore, as I used to.

[@GreekHouseEffect]

The extensive quarantine led me to have many intrusive thoughts. Your old videos helped very much. I couldn't be more grateful when I saw you uploading new videos now. Your advice has been treasure to me. Keep going!

[@emirojas92]

Same here. I began to have intrusive thoughts during this quarantine.

[@HowardSalinger]

Same my OCD exploded halfway into the pandemic

[@Ashish-nd3xj]

@@emirojas92 same. I had suicidal ideation last year

[@justamood6741]

i tell myself that my intrusive thoughts are suggestion and i can say no and move on my day.

[@philipjohnkaye8890]

I'm laughing at how accurate this video is, it's like listening to someone verbally announce the actual language of ocd, hit the nail on the head!

[@lalah1733]

Exactly!!!

[@yawssdin699]

This is a life-changing video for me. I feel so much more confident about what I need to do now to fix my OCD. This was the missing piece of the puzzle, so to speak, knowing that certainty comes from focusing on the long-term, not the short-term. Thank you so much, Katie! I love your videos; they are always so helpful to me!

[@t091293]

I love Katie's videos as well, and I'm very happy for your progress! ❤ Keep it up, you'll be happy and free of OCD!

[@irisdanagher]

Wow never heard someone who actually knows how it feels for the patient.

[@tornadoknight3996]

Aging like fine wine Katie nice to see you back.

[@gazclint1]

I was recommended to Katy from my psychologist when my ocd was at its worst 😢, she’s a absolute life saver .

[@butterfly4875]

Confessing was a huge thing for my son.

[@Bixxy]

so it is for me

[@t091293]

What you do changes lives, Katie, thank you so much for that ❤

[@JoJa.E]

I’ve had OCD/PTSD since I was 4 and the “it’s a water pistol” is amazing advice

[@va_lerina]

OMG you are back and I couldn't be more thankful about it! ♥️

[@tonyissue4730]

Agreed

[@Britpopsoul]

The only thing certain in life is uncertainty

[@whichatlas]

Thank you so much for your channel and for what you do! My OCD has been getting worse lately, and just like your example, my contamination OCD used to focus on the fear of getting HIV. But once I was certain in a way that HIV wasn't as big of a threat for me (I'm not sexually active), my contamination OCD moved on to worrying about getting infected with rabies. I've been spiraling lately but I'm so glad I found your channel. Love and blessings on you! You are helping so many of us.

[@zizisisi]

thank you for returning to the channel, you might be my literal lifeline, just in time Katie. I appreciate these videos so much.

[@Simplesimple123]

I struggle with ocd and I’m ashamed of it. I will be learning skills from your videos to help with this , so glad to see I’m not alone . Or atleast that I understand now what’s happening. thank you

[@zain4019]

Blessings my friend. You can do this.

[@Simplesimple123]

@@zain4019 thank you kindly. . All the best to you

[@jesseascriven]

Excellent video! Lots of tools for the Anti-OCD tool box!

[@23katied]

Thanks! Let us know how you get on using them.

[@tomassso1412]

What You do is SOOOOO Important Katie !!!!!!

[@sbramble01]

this woman is a sage. protect her at all costs.

[@jamesjohnstone1224]

Hey just wondering how your getting on, cheers

[@mmehdi3437]

The woman who changed my life ! I don't know how to thank you enough for these videos !!!

[@rubyburagohain6627]

Dear Katie, love you so much and thank you for your videos. I have recently come to know about you from my daughter who has been diagnosed with OCD( pure O) since she was 12 years old and it's a very sever one . She is 18 years old now and she (as well as we) has been living a traumatic life since then.We as parents trying our best to help her but unfortunately it seems no therapist probably has the depth of knowledge and understanding about OCD like the way you have! After watching your videos, and your excellent analogies, I as mother have gained tremendously. I will be able to handle the situation more effectively now. Would like to have individual therapy sessions with you, however that may not be possible due to time zone, as we live in India. Thanks from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@gamersfield1477]

Thank you Katie. You really are a life savior. Please try to post videos more often :).

[@t091293]

it's very important to know that topics that people consider taboo are actually very common in OCD, and you are NOT a bad person for having thoughts related to taboo things (harming a child, or inappropriate sexual attraction, etc). People should also know that a groinal response for example does NOT mean you like a specific thought. the groinal response is actually caused by the anxiety that you feel that got triggered by the taboo thought. everyone be open with your therapists, trust them and trust yourselves ❤

[@natedolo6789]

For most of us, dysfunctional beliefs which we developed in childhood/adolescence is the gas for the OCD fire. I had a particularly dysfunctional and traumatic adolescence and there are so many themes and doubts that my OCD can get triggered by. I sat and wrote down all of my dysfunctional beliefs which were conditioned in my younger years and there are SO many of them.

[@snissa7698]

I had ocd problem for almost 2 years ago..and I cameover from that by doing all the things my self that you are learning the people..at first attempt it seems tough..but by doing lot of practice it will get better with time ,a new confidence start building up in you and that thing seems small for you..and when you will remind those things that were bothering you ,you will find your self how silly you were before...thankxx to uh ..it may help a lot of people ..and I saw your channel ,it's a lot better than them ,you are saying actually what people should do...lots of love❤️❤️❤️ I tried myself to make people understand but I was unable..now you gave shape to my thinking..you r a life saver❤️❤️

[@23katied]

Really glad you’ve been able to help yourself and that you’ve found these videos useful too: thanks for sharing your experience

[@snissa7698]

@Arpita2049 yeah !sis it can come back because the methods that you were trying to do to ignore those thoughts, might not have been powerful to avoid them ,even if they come back they would not have to affect you..and I know it would be more scary when it comes back because at that time you will feel so helpless to try those methods again..so,be positive and try to find some new ways to get over with it..this is just overthinking as overthinking is an art of creating problems that don't even exist ..God has made us perfect it's we people that are creating mess in our lives ..its only up there👉🧠

[@snissa7698]

@Arpita2049 that's the point it's up in there,in your brain..don't fight with your emotional brain bcox doing that would led you even in a worse condition...you can not stop your thoughts that are popping up into your brain ,you just have to let your thoughts come and go .just ignore them not stop them Cox by stopping you wil be much more focused on that, just try to let your thoughts be into your mind ..the thing is when you become unsuccessful in stopping them you will feel so much disappointed and even anxiety may occur upon you..just calm your brain by telling some stories ,trick with your brain, make it fool..its just chemicals that are releasing from our brain and led us in these situations..have faith in your self..I know it's easy to cite rather than doing this ..anyways best of luck👍

[@snissa7698]

@Arpita2049 it is the big lie that you have kept in your brain..they can't comeback unless and until you will give importance to them..when you make yourself aware by reminding that thoughts ..you will find that these are just thoughts ,not something that is gonna actually happen...when you were able to stop these thoughts from last 2 days then why you can't ignore them forever ..you are just seeing these thoughts in just one way..try to see it through different angles ..just think when these people's are normal ,when they are not having these thoughts ,why it's just me..these are some stories that you can tell to ur brain.. ignoring negative thoughts will not stop overthinking ..it is caused by a mismatch between beliefs and experiences..finding safety and comfort in your senses,rather than you preconceptions can help👍

[@snissa7698]

@Arpita2049 ok no worries just follow her ..you will be better soon👍

[@dentellier]

Wow! This was so incredibly helpful. I didn’t even realize that this was my problem, until I watched your video. I thought more certainly was going to help me. But uncertainty is actually the medicine that I need. Amazing.

[@jamesjohnstone1224]

Hey just wondering how you’re getting on with your ocd cheers

[@AR-wf6yh]

Thank you so much for this. You explain things in such an effective way, this is so helpful.

[@0marfans]

Life-changing, thank you so much!!!

[@iamtherealslimshady7296]

Grateful for your help.Your assistance.Your help made a huge difference you are a lifesaver.❤️

[@brantleymoore9670]

This is the best video I’ve watched so far of yours and if thees videos in general . I am very ocd and often believe I have hiv for no rational reason . I just got a blood test that came back negative and I had relief for a week and then something happened and I swore I had contacted hiv from touching an inanimate object that someone might have bled on an I might have gotten hiv in some one in a billion chance and now I want to get another test !!

[@carrotface9090]

You are a mind reader Katie. Your amazing ❤ i have never listened to someone who understands ocd so much! I would really love it if you would make videos about memory hoarding ocd and existentional ocd

[@razzidaroc]

u just explained everything ive been thinking my whole entire life

[@Gerald-ov3gp]

Thank you, Katie. You have a wonderful way with analogies and words. Recently I’ve come uncross, and struggled to manage the OCD. It’s true, the more one listens to their OCD, and does their compulsion, the bigger and stronger it becomes. The OCD says “…check one more time”. It’s never one more time because it finds something else to be uncertain of. The more we check the more we uncover other areas to check. I haven’t been performing anti-OCD behaviours until I read it in your book. The OCD really doesn’t like that. My goal is to realise I’ve already checked several times, and if that was effective I would be OK, and to realise is just a thought. I’ve got through it before so I can get through it again. It’s about taking a step back realising it’s OCD. They all appear to have same characteristics and remember it’s not a gun, it’s a water pistol.

[@giannis6552]

Thank you so much for your invaluable help. I have watched your videos over and over again, and I keep understanding more.

[@forbusiness7753]

Thank you for your helpful videos, please keep making videos like this in these stressful days. Please talk more about how to deal with the fear of being alone while dealing with anxiety. Thanks 🙏

[@upscduniya3299]

You are a gem. I keep on ruminating about something very absurd. I got admission in my grad college through a competitive exam. The results came online, but an official result used to come through post mail. Due to some address issue , that mail never came. When i took admission in college, they gave me admission but asked me to submit the official result. 4 years passed , i graduated from college and got my degree. But now i remember that i never submitted that doc, neither the college bothered. But this fear keeps on popping that at some point of time , the college will call me cancel my degree and my whole life will be over and i will feel a terrible shame and i will be called a fake. I sound ridiculous, but i cant do but think about it again and again

[@2px_]

oh my gosh. you have no idea how much of a service you are doing for everyone and how much of a privilege it feels like to find out you’re uploading again. i have a type of ocd that attacks literally anything that happens or event that occurs. for example, moving, thinking i want to move, eating, thinking i want to eat, etc. my escape has always been the things that mean most to me, movies such as harry potter. but now of course over the years it’s gotten so bad that i can’t even watch them anymore because i’m so scared my ocd will have me tarnish them and ruin them forever. i can’t explain what kind of horrid hell it is living with this disorder. if you have any advice on this specific type of ocd, please be so kind as to let me know. thank you so much for extending your help for people suffering with this. i hope you’re doing well.

[@giannis6552]

You are just brilliant!

[@bubblesinthe4ir]

OMG i'm so happy that you are back

[@julioserrano8730]

Thank you for helping me understand everything better.....

[@nataliesharaf9406]

It's so true that it feels like high stakes with OCD!

[@jamesjohnstone1224]

Hey just wondering how you’re getting on cheers

[@rafaelarolim2320]

Katie, thank you so much for your videos and sharing your Knowledge with us!!

[@latergrls6183]

Thank you for the time and knowledge you invest to share with us here. You are truly a blessing!

[@ronniec99]

So lately my OCD has been probably the worst ever. It has gotten to the point where I'm just staying by myself in my room all the time, living some imaginary nightmare that makes me feel doom. I do want to add that trying to fill your days with positivity (thoughts, content, people) and grounding yourself by being surrounded by other people does help, because like Katie says - it reduces the level of importance from the thought. Suddenly even if it's scary, it's no longer the most important question ever, you see that you CAN be happy even without answering it. Still working hard on it and videos like Katie's are super helpful, but after some horrible days I've started doing the things I mentioned and they help to soften this thing and see things a bit more clearly.

[@23katied]

Yes trying to get as engaged in the real world as possible is really helpful as it gives you things to focus on other than the things in your mind. Only thing to be aware of is that you are not trying to busy yourself in order to BLOCK OUT the thoughts and feelings but rather to refocus your attention elsewhere and let the thoughts and feelings take care of themselves.

[@mrsk8016]

Love the analogy about the door being locked 👍

[@mustafa77006]

I just love watergun example with my heart Thank God

[@tangeetk8931]

God bless you !! Thank you for helping with these videos 💜

[@half_cutt1533]

You're amazing Katie. Thank you.

[@vishaljames8471]

Im glad that you came back with an another video

[@juliagianni568]

I am so thankful you are doing these videos!

[@lolmanittakesguts]

It is really funny how spot on most of these behaviours are especially the comparing ocd

[@Guss425]

Grateful that Katie's back!

[@brilliantwriter4856]

Katie where did you go for four years! ❤️

[@shazam1334]

Yah ...she looks way different

[@maximilianoisoba3336]

@@shazam1334 she’s a beautiful lady.

[@khalidsalama8229]

Welcome back. Glad to see a new video. Thank you

[@LordToby914]

Sometimes when I have intrusive thoughts, I just allow it to stay in my head and play out to the point where it goes away, because the more I try to resist those thoughts the stronger the urge becomes. Of course you're not going to act on them, because they're just thoughts and thats ALL they are. Don't lose sleep over it, you'll be just fine.

[@23katied]

Exactly, the more you resist the more it persists

[@walidlouardi868]

I just realized u are back :) hey! I have religious and sexual ocd and I'm really losing everything day after day

[@lookatmeimsoquirky5834]

Blue heavy do you have any Facebook? I like to chat with you.

[@drquantum6548]

I recommend a ssri. I use escitalopram 10mg. I did erp and its much better!

[@imeldasheahan9039]

Thank you so much Katie for sharing these interesting and informative videos. Much appreciated.

[@ForeverSweetx3]

Yes!!! Thank you Dr. Katie d'Ath! I hate OCD!

[@billboyd6457]

welcome back. really great video with the analogy of the gun to the head. wish I could be a client. best wishes

[@deepayadav7420]

I really want to meet you in reality and thank you for all your videos😇😇😇..... You have the solution to all the problems..... Love from INDIA 🇮🇳

[@kamalpreetsingh1686]

Singer Adele and psychologist Katie dath are two decent persons living in Britain in our era..... unfortunately i live in India , so i can never meet them.....There may be many psychologists but Katie dath is best in explaining things in easy way......But She uploads videos after very long time , i guess Life in Britain is busy.....

[@blogdogion]

You are back!!!!!! Your videos helped me and help me a lot. Thank you!

[@rchippex]

Fantastic video. Your videos helped me a lot many years ago and it is so good to see some new ones now that I need some guidance again.

[@wahid3363]

Please do a video on Checking OCD.

[@theotherway1639]

The mindfulness guide "30 Days to Stop Obsessing" by Harper Daniels is pretty good...uses a mindfulness approach with hints of CBT. It's on amazon. Mindfulness has really helped. It takes practice but isn't too difficult.

[@gertrudegatwiri5564]

Apart from Amazon, where else can i find it?

[@whtmustang]

Im really struggling to let go. Its painful. And its tiring....

[@winston9505]

God bless you Katie! Thank you!

[@abacaxiabacaxi1269]

thank you so much katie! your videos are so great, and that analogy was iconic hahahaha! This was a big help!

[@mattmintun9128]

Thank you for these videos. They help.

[@lalah1733]

OMG!! i got diagnosed by OCD & bipolar disorder last week, and the doctor told me that I can't begin the Cognitive behavioral therapy now cause It won't convince me so i have to take medication first and after 3 weeks I should begin the Cognitive behavioral therapy. but I didn’t believe her, i was asking my self: what if she’s wrong? how could I trust her? it’s insane! so i went to see other doctor and she told me that i might having BPD but I didn't believe her also .. but i am really feeling terrible right now, so desperate, then I decided to take the OCD medication even if am not “Certain” i have it, but I couldn't stop the uncertainty so i searched on KZbin and here you are. You kinda got me:)

[@wanmeireles7182]

Wow, your hair looks beautiful

[@elaineeselun1405]

Thank you for this video!

[@jcool3627]

It takes a lot of practice .... seriously a lot...you got to live with it..

[@kikibibi369]

Could you make a video about dealing with OCD induced panic attacks. My particular form of OCD revolves around the fear that I'll suddenly be allergic to whatever food/medication I'm taking. Sometimes I'll actually feel my throat closing, but I'm not actually in danger. Thank you for making this series.

[@markpalmar70]

Katy hi, I suggest people find your youtube videos on a more or less daily basis, as I work in one of the fb groups. Thankyou for all you give. I started on your videos before I found the group.

[@elie6769]

The more you practice feeling uncertain you are going to feel more certain

[@trutestsoftware]

"It's not a gun, it's a water pistol" I love your analogies, they always hit the target dead center. I tend to check door locks and the stove at night more than once. I have to physically touch them and I tend to repeat touching to be certain. I will try ERP by checking once and then leaving it... walking away uncertain...

[@johnwinters6999]

You just described my ocd perfectly even down to the hiv analogy. I can doubt anything important. We know its irrational but it's a real thing. I can understand someone without ocd can't understand. I think I'm at a point a long time ago that im intilectually aware it's the "doubt" that is the problem not the themes cos I'm 56 now but it's still hard. You understand ocd perfectly ...are you a sufferer ?

[@miscellaneousb]

Yeah, I don't think she is. I can pace and panic (sitting in my feelings) for 12 hours straight. This line of therapy is rubbish. Major distractions and getting super busy with tasks helps me the most. And Lexapro.

[@johnwinters6999]

@@miscellaneousb hello. Thanks for your reply. Yes it's awfull isn't it. Several members of my family have it and now dead relatives did looking back. I believe its medical and in the future they will discover what it is and it will, contrary to popular current belief, actually be a magic bullet for it. Therapists and professionals will realise what a big ask it was to expect peoe to out think this. J say this because my ocd, and my nieces, came over us very sudden not a slope that we slid into. I remember the day it engulfed me and the dread and doubt has been there ever since to a lesser or greater degree. Its like hell isn't it ?

[@Beto-o1y]

Hi Katie, I am a new subscriber. I think you are an incredible therapist and an amazing youtuber. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEOS, YOU ARE HELPING ME SO MUCH!!!👍❤🇨🇱

[@tomhebcliffer7008]

Hello dr, thank you so much for your videos, I actually have been having this problem with OCD where whenever I watch any tv show, I feel compulsed that I HAVE to know every single detail, otherwise I wouldn't have actually watched the show. Thing is normally I have other types of OCDs but I can mostly handle them to a degree because their reasoning is very silly, but personally, I like being a perfectionist and I just can't get my mind to watch a tv show or anything because I "wouldn't have watched it properly". If I watch any other thing that's for example like a skit, or any video it's fine but tv shows are the ones with the problem with me. This has been driving me insane especially the last year because of quarantine and all that and I can't afford to go to a psychiatrist. Thank you so much

[@brandonmoyo8498]

Glad you're back ✋😃

[@cemozsahin]

Excellent. Thank you so much ❤

[@SantiagoCasullo]

Thank you. It was really helpful.

[@JackSmith-l3u]

I feel like I’ve just gave myself hocd because I was looking it up and it’s ruined my relationship I was getting other intrusive thoughts sexual real event etc but it’s tore my relationship apart and now I’m just confused and heartbroken

[@JackSmith-l3u]

When I’ve been happily straight all my life

[@mimitv9522]

FRRR the moment you discover it’s an actual disorder that people get stuck with for years, a brand new thing to be anxious about 💀

[@ig7424]

Finally. Sound is better.

[@jacobbahr]

Thanks for the vid Kate!

[@bernies1964]

Thank you for your videos!! What should you do once you have succesfully exposed yourself to the top of your hirarchy? I would be thankful if you could share the best following steps? Thanks!!

[@JJ-hq1eu]

thank you so much for your videos!

[@jamesjohnstone1224]

Hey just wondering how you’re getting on with your ocd, cheers

[@TheMgarvey]

I have harm thoughts that come to me as soon as i get in bed to go to sleep. Last night I let the thoughts happen, but I got to sleep after 2 hrs. I’ve spent many nights not sleeping at all, worrying about the thoughts. It doesn’t work. Sit with them and eventually sleeping will come. Thank you for videos.

[@Me-sb2xp]

PROGRESS! So happy for you Martha 💓

[@jamesjohnstone1224]

Hey just wondering how you’re getting on with this, cheers

[@tracypetrowski8617]

Thank you. This resonates! ❤️

[@itiswhatitis9089]

For me at times, it's the urge to try not to resist that makes it worse, perpetuating and eventually drowning myself in the self fulfilling cycle of negative thoughts. And, in my case, it's the fear of not being able to sleep...I am so so tired

[@23katied]

I've worked with people who have this problem before. What is it that you fear will happen if you don't sleep? Have you tried deliberately trying to keep yourself awake all night as an exposure to your fear of not sleeping?

[@Ashish-nd3xj]

How is it now

[@jgilbertson636]

This is my current OCD theme. I am losing my mind.

[@jgilbertson636]

@@23katied I fear physically illness and insanity if I don't sleep. All the literature "need 7 hours sleep for health".

[@itiswhatitis9089]

@@Ashish-nd3xj It has been a journey since my last comment. I have made remarkable progress. Going through countless videos and books, not to say they didn't play a role in my recovery, but I recently came across a therapy known as EMSR. I am currently in lockdown in Shanghai, which adds unspeakable amounts of stress, yet surprisingly, EMDR has been very effective in helping me tone down my adrenaline rush which enables me to fall asleep and allowed my body to recover. I wouldn't say it is the only factor that contributed to my progress, all the knowledge ive accumulated in this regard has also helped me a lot. Ive recently came to the realization that my mind has been constantly focusing on things that I wish I had, and failed to recognize what I was given. With that said, my body and mind has been in a constant depressed and anxious mode trying to achive what I lack and perhaps a good 90 percent of myd daily energy has been directed towards it. I have learned to accept where I am at and improve upon it (also thanks to Katie), and my mind calmed down as a result. My cognitive functions has improved and everything seems to make a lot more sense now. I will occasionally suffer from adrenaline rush when I sleep and in other social or life occasions, but EMDR has been extremely helpful to calm my body down. Hope this helps, take care.

[@shazam1334]

I like how she's numbering her vids😁

[@nitinteamsharmanalena220]

The queen 👸 is back again

[@elie6769]

Live with the discomfort with the uncertainty. Just let things go. You have ocd it isnt a gun to my head it's not the end of the world

[@JB-et7zs]

I have my OCD centered a lot around my son's Type 1 diabetes and heart condition. Especially hoarding insulin while he's still on my insurance for the next few months and the meds are affordable. I have been having a few days episode where I have had near constant thoughts about how I may have ruined his insulin because maybe the fridge got too cold at one time or maybe too warm. Going back over any time where I could remember if I had seen it too warm or too cold or if I stored it wrong or if I had maybe done something that ruined it. Over and over. It's been exhausting and debilitating. But I guess my question is what if you DO have a "gun" to your head? What if the stakes are actually high? These medications will end up costing thousands a month and there are people who do die from not being able to afford care in the US. How do you work with that?

[@AkaHeiwa]

Thank you really!

[@mikebrushing8578]

So useful advices. Thanks a lot)

[@enzofrancescoli1260]

I'm getting a groinal response where I don't want it to happen and it scares the shit out of me. I have a porn addiction and I think it's related. I'm an anxious and avoidant personality. I want to heal.

[@sayoojbsuresh2460]

Did u?

[@olakrisma6859]

Hi Katie, one my OCD symptoms is false memories. For instance, today I got my COVID vaccine and straight after seeing the doctor, I saw images of the needle not going in my arm, or the doctor saying I cannot vaccinate you and I believe that I didn’t get vaccinated because the intrusive thoughts and images occurred straight after seeing the doctor and are so vivid. My thoughts attack parts in my life were certainty is required (like the vaccine). I understand that OCD is an intolerance of uncertainty and reassurance is an compulsion. However, it is difficult to ignore and not react to thoughts and images in parts of life were certainty is required and it messes up with my reality. I have learnt to let go of thoughts and not do nothing, however the uncertainty will only be uncovered if COVID harms me which is severely anxiety provoking. I have done CBT in the past but it felt patronising and it was a lot of me talking and explaining my problems. Do you have advice on intrusive thoughts in areas where certainty is needed?

[@23katied]

Most things that people worry about in OCD could be classed as things where certainty is needed - that's what creates the problem. For example, someone would say "i need to know for certain I didn't run that person over/locked the door/didn't molest that person etc etc. Where you do not demand certainty OCD doesn't tend to raise its head so much. So the bottom line is, yes it would be easier for you to be certain that you'd had the vaccine, but no you do not HAVE to be certain - because whether you are certain or not will not change whether it actually happened. Most people will not question whether they definitely had the jab or whether the right jab was given etc but if they did and they needed to be 100% certain then they would soon start to feel doubt and question it. So in short there is no difference to this than there is to any other subject matter that OCD might choose. The more you try and get certain, the less certain you will feel.

[@jagboy69]

@@23katied Clever girl you are! That's right, it was a JAB and not a vax. I hope the evil bastards that did this to us pay the price some day! PJW just did a video called oops, sorry. The amount of lives they destroyed is sickening! Thank you for your great work, you are helping me pick up the pieces they left behind in my house!

[@tpgggg]

I already knew most of this but for some reason it's so much easier to believe hearing it spoken audibly from someone who doesn't know me. I recently started going to therapy after years of struggling with OCD and even though it's only been one session and even though it's mostly just been me talking i still feel noticeably better. funny how that works