The Role of Shame in OCD

Did you know that most people with OCD experience intense feelings of shame? This is a common struggle, but here’s the kicker—shame actually fuels OCD rather than being a sign of something broken within you. Recognizing this is the first step toward breaking free from the shame spiral.

What Shame Feels Like for Someone with OCD

Imagine your brain stuck on repeat, replaying embarrassing or distressing moments in a constant loop. OCD and shame often create a mental highlight reel of intrusive, socially unacceptable thoughts. These thoughts can make you feel isolated and flawed, as if no one else could possibly understand what you’re experiencing.

Why Typical Strategies Backfire

Many people try to push intrusive thoughts away, convincing themselves they’re good people or analyzing the thoughts for deeper meaning. Unfortunately, these strategies often backfire. Like quicksand, the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. Fighting these thoughts gives them more power, perpetuating the cycle of shame.

The Power of Acceptance

The first step to breaking free is acceptance. Accept that the shame exists without trying to make sense of it or push it away. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means acknowledging the presence of shame as just a feeling—not an absolute truth.

For example, if you have a distressing thought, you might say to yourself, “Thanks, brain, for throwing that thought my way. I see you, but you’re not in charge right now.” Acceptance shifts your perspective, allowing you to respond to shame with curiosity rather than fear.

Why OCD Lies

OCD thrives on lies, convincing you that you’re dangerous, unlovable, or fundamentally flawed. But here’s the truth: a thought is just a thought, not a fact. These intrusive thoughts are stories spun by your brain, not reflections of your character or intentions.

Tools for Cognitive Restructuring

Beyond acceptance, cognitive restructuring can help challenge self-critical thoughts. For instance, identifying unhelpful thinking styles like all-or-nothing thinking or catastrophizing can help you break free from distorted perceptions of yourself.

Search for “10 unhelpful thinking styles” online for examples, such as overgeneralizing (“I’ve had these thoughts, so I must be a bad person”). Awareness of these patterns is a powerful step toward regaining control.

Combining ERP with Self-Compassion

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment, pairs well with self-compassion. By facing your fears without performing compulsions, you reduce their power. At the same time, treating yourself with kindness can help counteract the shame OCD tries to impose.