OCD and "white knuckling it"

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Have you ever been in a situation where you were resisting so much that it was just making the situation worse? This is what "white knuckling it" means.

It's akin to "pushing through" the pain of an injury. You can technically grit your teeth through the pain and keep walking on a sprained ankle or injured knee. But if you don't get it properly treated, you're only going to make it worse, and eventually you may not be able to walk at all.

In the context of OCD, "white knuckling" happens when individuals with OCD are trying to resist or fight their OCD in a way that actually undermines their recovery.

A crucial part of Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP) treatment is teaching our clients how to conduct exposure practices without performing the usual compulsions or rituals they use to alleviate the anxiety and distress that exposures induces.

White knuckling can in and of itself function like a compulsion, because it's a form of avoidance. And avoidance, no matter how many exposure practices a client performs, will only result in reinforcing OCD.

As their therapist, it's our job to teach our clients how to recognize when they're white knuckling it, so that they can experience just how effective ExRP can be!

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Whether you are a therapist or someone seeking a therapist, it is vital to understand that treating OCD requires specialized and ongoing training, including Exposure and Response Prevention. If you are not sure where to start, OCD Set Free offers consultations and trainings for both therapists and those with OCD. You can visit our LinkTree in our bio or go directly to our website at ocdsetfree.com. We are here to support you every step of the way!