Avoidance Only Makes OCD Worse

Подробнее о видео

Do you think avoiding activities that trigger OCD will help OCD go away?

It is a common misconception that avoidance of activities that trigger OCD will help stop OCD compulsions and rituals.

In reality, avoidance of your fears keeps you trapped in the dark. In fact, avoidance is a form of compulsion, and can actually exacerbate OCD.

Those with OCD and their loved ones may think that if the OCD sufferer is not engaging in physical or external compulsions like cleaning, tapping, checking the locks, etc, that this means they don’t have compulsions or that the OCD has stopped.

But compulsions can take different forms depending on the type of OCD you have.

For example, if someone with POCD chooses not to go to their niece’s birthday party due to OCD, that’s a compulsion. Or if someone with religious scrupulosity OCD, avoids going to their church, mosque, or temple due to OCD, that’s a compulsion. Or if someone with SO-OCD avoids spending time with their LGBTQ+ friends due to OCD, that’s a compulsion.

These avoidant behaviors are not sustainable long term, and in fact they make OCD worse!

So what can you do? Facing OCD head-on through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) gets you out of the trap of avoidance and back to living your life. As an exposure, go to your niece's birthday party, go worship how you want to, or go spend time with the LGBTQ+ friends whom you've always loved! Do the things that create meaning in your life!

When you face your fears, you free yourself to step out into the light, so you can fully engage with life and enjoy the activities and people you love!