While depression currently seems to be ‘in’ with the media , anxiety disorders continue to be ignored and misunderstood.
What color hair has your OCD got?
Does anyone find it helpful to give their OCD a name, a funny voice or make it into a monster or annoying character of some sort? Some therapists suggest that it helps to discredit your thoughts by making them seem stupid and not part of you. For instance one visualization book I read said you should make your ‘inner voice’ talk in a really silly voice so that you could dismiss what it says more easily. Buddhists refer to ‘the chattering monkeys.’
Personally, I don’t like this idea as it feeds into one of my fears -the fear of becoming psychotic. To try and make the OCD somehow seperate and alien, does not sit comfortably. Although I am aware that the thoughts should not be engaged with, I have always considered the OCD to be part of what makes me me and therefore not something outside of me.
I find it best to approach OCD as I would any other illness or medical condition I have, by keeping myself well informed and not demonizing it in any way.
Do you have a name for your OCD, have a picture of it in your mind or visualize it in any way? I would be really interested to here about your OCD monsters (or even OCD friends!?) ?
