Mental Compulsions - Ignore them? Or face them?

[Melanie717]

Mental compulsions are rarely talked about, but they can be seen in Hyperawareness OCD and Pure O.
They are the most difficult to deal with, because the compulsion itself is going on in the mind, not something that can be done on the outside, such as washing one’s hands repetitively or checking to see if the oven is shut off, over and over again.

Mental compulsions are usually automatic, as well. They can be built in.
You can mentally “check” to see if an intrusive thought is still there, or check to see if you are constantly paying attention to your breathing, or they run on auto-pilot and you have no idea why your mind is purposely grabbing an image, a sound, anything to distract and disturb you. And most importantly, upset you.

I deal with this, I’ve had Hyperawareness OCD since the age of 12.
With ERP, you are taught to NOT give in to the compulsion, and just sit with the discomfort until the fear slowly subsides.
But with a mental compulsion, how do you even control it? Allow it? Because then you are giving in to the compulsion, which is a big no-no in ERP. Avoid it? Because that takes a lot of willpower too.

How do you deal with your mental compulsions, and how have you been taught to manage them?
I would love to know the answer to this.

 

[Shree]

You should face mental compulsions rather than ignore them. Trying to suppress them often makes them stronger. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy helps by gradually reducing the need to engage in compulsions, making them less overwhelming over time.

 

[Melanie717]

You should face mental compulsions rather than ignore them. Trying to suppress them often makes them stronger. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy helps by gradually reducing the need to engage in compulsions, making them less overwhelming over time.

But when it’s an automatic mental compulsion, meaning, it just does what it does, just allow it?
I think that’s probably right. Allow it, but don’t feed it your attention. It’s the attention that gives it the power to remain “important” enough for your mind to keep scanning it as a potential threat.

 

[Hazel]

Mental compulsions can be tricky. Ignoring them might provide temporary relief but could strengthen them in the long run. Facing them, with the right strategies and potentially professional guidance, can help you understand and reduce their power over you.

 

[Melanie717]

Mental compulsions can be tricky. Ignoring them might provide temporary relief but could strengthen them in the long run. Facing them, with the right strategies and potentially professional guidance, can help you understand and reduce their power over you.

I like that. I’ve always had a hard time with the method of “allowing them to be there” and “not paying much attention to them.”
It gives you a feeling of being powerless.
Refusing to engage, refusing to acknowledge, these are more proactive approaches.

 

[Shree]

But when it’s an automatic mental compulsion, meaning, it just does what it does, just allow it?
I think that’s probably right. Allow it, but don’t feed it your attention. It’s the attention that gives it the power to remain “important” enough for your mind to keep scanning it as a potential threat.

Yes, allowing automatic mental compulsions without engaging is key. Suppressing them strengthens their hold, but acknowledging them without reacting weakens their impact. By not feeding them attention, your mind gradually stops treating them as threats, reducing their intensity over time.