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

OCD can make discomfort feel overwhelming, which can keep people from recognizing their ability to experience discomfort and move through it. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath and Jon Hershfield, Director of The OCD and Anxiety Center of Greater Baltimore, break down what’s really happening when you feel uncomfortable, what you can do to build your tolerance for discomfort, and why sitting with discomfort is worth the effort.
If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. NOCD Therapists specialize in OCD, deeply understand all of its subtypes, and receive specialized training in ERP therapy, the gold-standard treatment for OCD.
Visit learn.nocd.com/YT to learn more about getting matched with an OCD specialist and starting treatment that can help you regain your life from OCD.

[@katihill6219]

I would choose my mental discomfort with my ocd than physical discomfort any day. I am physically healthy and this helps SO much with ocd as well as physical discomfort. Exercise has been engrained in me at a young age and I’m so fortunate for this. Because of exercise, I have very little physical discomfort and ERP is so much more manageable.

[@infinitehugs4974]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful app. I suffer from morning to night with OCD and those intrusive thoughts, it really gets draining. I’m hoping it helps. Much peace- Natalia

[@samia6888]

How are you doing now?

[@MrMasterNorris]

Thank you. The mental pain for me is harder but there’s such a physical component too. Strangely I’m ok with physical pain because it doesn’t feel like my fault. Mental pain tho, I’m not ok with because it feels like I’m responsible for that pain, and that’s why it’s unacceptable

[@rosaortiz7842]

This was so helpful!!

[@videosbybug]

i think it’s fascinating how dr. mcgrath says at around the 4:30 mark that people are able to handle physical discomfort better than mental discomfort, and for me it is quite the opposite

[@peterwilliams7964]

Thanks! What do you do when intense mental and physical discomfort happens in social situations like work or talking to people? The discomfort significantly impairs conversation and logical thinking, and therefore it’s very tempting to do the compulsion in order to just do my job. It’s also hard to be mindful of ones own self while talking to someone, taking notes etc. Any suggestions appreciated!

[@smurfette1509]

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.

[@renakmans3521]

@@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…

[@smurfette1509]

@@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.

[@renakmans3521]

@@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. ❤️

[@d-blockceltics3696]

concentration be off. how can you live parallel to this?