Typically when trying hard to do this, people think of a pink elephant. For example: for the next 5 seconds, try not to think of a pink elephant. Trying to suppress a thought typically has the opposite of the desired effect. Being on the lookout for a thought is nearly a guarantee that you’ll have the thought again. You’ll also be watchful for the thought happening again since you see it as a significant event. For example: if you believe your thought of punching your father means you’re likely to do it, and you don’t want to do it, then you’ll experience anxiety. What makes these thoughts into obsessions is the meaning we attribute to them. Why Do the Harm OCD Thoughts Happen?Īs mentioned above, the thoughts happen for reasons beyond our control. In fact, a closer look suggests that people with harm OCD are quite unlikely to act on these thoughts. Ultimately, the thoughts, images and urges associated with harm OCD are insignificant and do not reflect on character. Thoughts are like the content on TV as we flip channels we have no say over what comes on the screen - all we can do is choose whether to change the channel or not. We cannot control which thoughts come up in our minds. Some are warm and fuzzy, some are ugly, and most are pretty uninteresting. The answer is the same whether or not one has OCD - our minds have all kinds of thoughts. It’s a scary thing to think you might harm a loved one against your will! So why do people have these thoughts? What Does It Mean to Have These Thoughts?
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