My OCD fear is different than everyone else

Nate! You know how you talk about OCD and how the fears are just so unrealistic? Well, I’m different. You know why? Because my fear could actually happen or be true. It is a realistic fear.

This is something I hear quite often through emails, chats, and in my own sessions. OCD is so good at tricking you into thinking that because your fear is possible, that the treatment taught for OCD doesn’t work for you. Or maybe it’s too risky.

In this video, we will go over how treatment works for fears that are realistic. Also for you to know when it is appropriate to worry about a realistic fear, and when it is not.

Let's start by looking at some realistic fears. Picture this: you're walking down the street, and suddenly you get this nagging feeling that you forgot to lock the door. Your mind starts racing with all the terrible things that could happen if someone were to break in. Or maybe you're about to give a presentation, and your heart starts pounding, your palms get sweaty, and you're convinced that you're going to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.

Now, these fears might seem totally legit at first glance, right? I mean, who wouldn't be worried about their safety or making a fool of themselves? But here's the kicker – with OCD, these fears can get blown way out of proportion. Suddenly, you're not just worried about someone breaking in, you're convinced it's going to happen any minute now. And that presentation? Well, it's not just nerves anymore – it's a full-blown catastrophe waiting to unfold.

Here’s a popular one. If I don’t wear sunscreen, there is a chance I’ll get cancer in the future. Well, this can be a legitimate fear, individuals with OCD often live with an all or nothing mindset. Any second of the day I must wear sunscreen or else. Is that realistic? I'm going to mailbox and will be out in the sun for 60 seconds. Do I need to apply sunscreen before I go out?

Well well, here's what you look for. Is it something you have to do or else? You'll feel completely anxious and obsess about the possibility of cancer in the future. This taking over minutes or hours of your day? That is an indication of OCD taking something that is realistic and completely skewing it. However, if it is someone's preference to wear sunscreen, even if they're out for 60 seconds, then go for it.

That is an indication of OCD taking something that is realistic and completely skewing it. However, if it is someone's preference to wear sunscreen, even if they're out for 60 seconds, then go for it. with most things in life there are risks.

Why we do treatment for OCD

I am risking that by not checking my locks, Someone may break in. I might make a mistake. A catastrophe could happen. But is it worth the risk to be able to trust myself with the doors locked. And if it is not, I'm willing to risk also that maybe someone won't break in.

You might be wondering, why even risk it in the first place? Because the time and effort of thinking about it and doing compulsions is eating up life. We want to live life. Fix a problem when there's a problem. Somebody may hear lessons think of it as an all or nothing thing. So you're saying to never wear sunscreen? Nope that's not what I'm saying. You're saying to keep my doors unlocked at all times? Nope, we make our best judgment as long.

A lot of the time this is what happens. You risk whatever the fear is and you realize that nothing happened. It sends a signal back to your brain that says, it looks like you didn't need to warn me this time. Your brain needs that signal time and time again. Because that's how the rumination and overthinking slows down.

But I know there's always that one chance that something's gonna happen. But everyone is risking that same chance, that is part of life.

But fear not (pun totally intended)! We've got a secret weapon in our arsenal called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Think of it like training for a marathon. At first, the idea of running 26.2 miles might seem impossible, but with the right training and mindset, you can conquer it one step at a time.

So, how does ERP work? It's all about facing your fears in a controlled and gradual way. Let's go back to that fear of forgetting to lock the door. Instead of giving in to the urge to rush back home and check it a hundred times, we're going to do the opposite. We're going to deliberately leave the house without checking the lock and sit with that discomfort. It's like telling your OCD, "Hey, I see you, but I'm not letting you call the shots anymore."The response part is pretty important. And this is how we do it. What can we tell ourselves that is keeping the whole situation uncertain. Or agreeing with the threat.

Sure someone may not break into my house. Or yeah man I sure hope someone breaks into my house today. You Might be saying this over and over and over again. What I am not doing is saying, it's OK, no one's gonna break in today. Don't worry about it because this ends up just causing more doubt.

My master your OCD online course teaches all this and more step by step. I’ll link that down in the description.

OCD treatment Is kind of like deflating a balloon. The more you poke at it, the less air it has until eventually, it's just a sad, wrinkly piece of rubber. By facing our fears with ERP, we're taking away their power, one poke at a time.

Face your fears, embrace the discomfort, and watch as they shrink away into nothing more than a distant memory. You've got this!

You’ve got more videos to watch…..Because you’re getting stronger. Take a look here.