As someone who succumbed to Pure O when 15-16, but who wasn’t diagnosed and (to a significant extent) successfully treated until my mid thirties, I like to say thank you for this, it’s incredibly helpful and spot on. Even now, it helps me and I hope it helps others.
I have just realizes that this is something that I have been dealing with since my late 20's. A crazy thought would come to me and because it was unwanted I would fight it...and then the stress...anxiety would come like a flood. Ruining my quality of life. This has really helped me. Thank you!
She did us all a favor by explaining Pure “O”. Outstanding job, thank you! I struggle with this, it’s a monster. Glad I’m not the only one going through it.
So much truth in this video. What especially hit me is that you mentioned that OCD gets harder to handle when we are tired. This confirmed what I was noticing, that whatever progress I make towards recovery, I always slip back to old habits when I'm stressed and overburdened, eg. at work. Thanks for this. I'll check out your other vids, I hope to find some strategy to deal with that.
Hi Kipon. Here is a playlist for Pure O OCD ruclips.net/p/PL1lUhuKpYUYqKvEwlGXoRPDu_8blhbaq-l. If you need more help, I have a course that provides that more detailed help: OCD Self Assessment Quiz www.paigepradko.com/ocdquiz OCD course www.paigepradko.com/ocd
Thank you so so so much ma'am, I have now started to realize that I have been facing this since a few years and recently during an exam had these thoughts and got really scared, I couldn't focus as I tried to suppress it and telling myself that it wasn't true and nothing bad was happening to anyone, but my brain kept telling me what if it was and I was just helpless at that moment, thanku very much for what you have explained to me..❤🙏🏻
You're most welcome. Do your best to not interact with those thoughts. They will keep trying to come at you and convince you that you need to be concerned. Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t interact with the thoughts. Allow them to float there, and then do whatever you were doing with focused attention on that activity.
To get over my pure ocd i had to figure out the initial reason it all started. Mine was a fear of learning. Crazy i know! It sent me down a rabbit hole of torture, but finding the fear that started it all is what finally got me to stop listening to the triggering questions that i didn't have any business hearing in the first place. I hope this helps someone on their journey back, and if you are ruminating over the current intrusive thought, the only medication i took was a third of a tablet of benadryl, which is a sedatives but a whole tablet would put me to sleep.
Thank you Ms. Pradko. This information has been extremely helpful as we deal with a loved one having this condition. You are very calming and assuring.
Hi Paige, Paul here. Thanks so much for making these videos and passing on your knowledge of this condition. You are soo helpful and I really appreciate it.
Paige, I'm going through a very bad bout of Pure O at the moment and have found your videos absolutely invaluable. You have a very kind and compassionate manner, you project kindness, empathy and compassion in a way I've not felt from other video therapists. You also have a very calming voice which really soothes the listener. I've subscribed to your channel and am watching several of your videos daily as part of my self-care regimen. Thank you for all you do for sufferers.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Your videos have been a lifeline, I've had a terrible Pure O spike this last week, I'm also autistic, which adds other dimensions to the complexity of the thoughts, feeling and anxieties. You have a true gift, your voice is immensely soothing and reassuring. I really look forward to more of your videos...
I've been learning more of my anxiety and become better to cope with it in 3 weeks watching your videos and doing your techniques than months of paid teraphy. You are awesome thank you for share your golden knowledge!
New subscriber here. Thank you so much for all your posts and for generously sharing your knowledge. Very helpful and informative. Much grateful. Blessed be. 🙏
This is the most accurate video that I am dealing with right now and I’m so grateful for your content Paige! It has helped me understand why I felt the way I do! After 4 days of hell, I finally could function again because of your videos. Thank you so much!
Gives me a little bit of peace knowing I'm not the only one going through this. Unfortunately everytime I try to find a therapist for it they don't feel like they know what this is or how to treat it, or look at me like I'm a monster. So now I'm focusing on working on this alone.
I am sorry that you have had that experience. There are many therapists and psychiatrists even that are unfamiliar with OCD. If you need guidance in recovery, I have a program where I walk you through the process. www.paigepradko.com/ocd
You might wish to find a therapist whe specialize specifically in OCD therapy and that uses as one of the tools in the process of recovering called Exposure Response Prevention. For success the therapist you're seeing should be trained in the above type of OCD therapy. From my thorough research this is the most success type of treatment for OCD sufferers. Good luck!❤
Thank you. We are being programmed to be mentally ill by mainstream entertainment. The shows I watch as a child would have a lesson at the end of each show. Those lessons taught me to get inside of my head and take my thoughts serious as if they’re reality. The Power Rangers taught me to live inside of my head because it was more valuable than reality.
Paige, I really got a lot more understanding from your video here. A good big picture logical perspective to understand my own situation with this type of irrational thinking and the unnecessary compulsions from those intrusive thoughts. The why it is, and the how to try and break the ocd stages from that first initial ocd type anxiety thought. I tend to struggle with unnecessary doubt and rumination about things I know logically I don't need to be doubtful of, including thoughts of actions I would *never* want to do ( ie the intrusive flash thought ), and me actually knowingly doing something completely the opposite of that intrusive thought. It's a struggle sometimes, but your video puts these intrusive thoughts in better perspective around the process that is going on within ocd. And that term "ego dystonic" I've never heard before, but explains a lot of what is going on within the struggle of ocd. Very Helpful! ❤
Hi Gabriel. Even therapists untrained in OCD do not recognize and understand Pure O OCD. I hope that you send a link to your family. I am thinking of making a few videos just for family members. Hope you feel supported and know that you are not alone and there is treatment for OCD.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I've had pure o since I was 8 years old and when meds came into the mix it only made it more and more confusing.I do know what pure o is and that I have severe OCD. I always have to cancel out my thoughts and it makes me utterly exhausted.
Thank you for this insightfull video. I have intrusive thoughts, agoraphobia and panic disorder. Watching your videos helps me to navigate more easily through my challengas. What you say makes so much sense. You really hit the nail on this. My panic attacks have lessend, I go out even if I feel anxios and my intrusive thoughts don't have so much power over me because I know now I'm a good person inspite of having these thoughts.
Just found your channel & have a couple of questions. I have worked with a couple of therapists but not many understand pure o. 1. I have made tremendous progress in my ability to detach from new intrusive thoughts - they really don't bother me much at all anymore. 2. However, I am having a really hard time moving on from the initial thoughts I had that sent me into this obsessive cycle. 3. I have such shame and fear attached to those original thoughts even though cognitively I know they are "not me" 4. I do not know how to "move past" these scary/disturbing/upsetting thoughts. :(
Hi Becky. I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. In my opinion, shame is the most painful human emotion. And perhaps why these thoughts create a fear reaction in us is because of the shame that they induce in us. Yet, the thoughts are created in your imagination…they are not real. So, you are inducing shame through your imagination. I have several ways that I teach people to let go of this shame in my course on Pure O and OCD. I should probably make a video where I just talk about the shame…that every single person with pure O and OCD experiences. I am so proud of you for talking about this. Because one thing that releases shame is talking about it and not keeping your pain a secret.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy hello mam...i just found your vedio......my name is rajasree 18 years old.I am from India ..i am suffering with pure o OCD from the last year...It started after the demise of my father....which made me the much worried...day by day my OCD is evolving with new matters and thoughts....initially it was horrifying to me but now I somehow get used to it...could u please explain how a traumatic situation lead to OCD.And could u please tell me how to open up something to others that is really shameful ,regreting and your fault...... Especially to your family...who only have the very basic knowledge of OCD...they are not understanding the thing i say in the same meaning i convey...because they have not experienced it. It would be nice if u give me some guidance on this.
Does anyone else obsessively twirl and flick ther hair for hours on end ? I do with my beard and you can always tell when im fighting my thoughts and anxietybad cause half my beard is in long dreads . Its embaressing and i dont know what about it makes me less anxious. Would love to know im not alone and a total looney .
Hi. We call that BFRB or body focused repetitive behavior. It is similar to ocd in that you have the urge to do the behavior when you are anxious, and the compulsion lowers the anxiety, thus creating a cycle. It is very common and usually seen in hair pulling and skin picking. To treat it, there are recommended strategies to help you resist the urge.
Thank you so much Paige, I’ve been struggling for about 3 months now but now I realise that they’re just silly stupid thoughts that don’t matter and don’t make me a bad person! You don’t know how much this helped me and thanks you 💙
Thank you so much for making me understand the challenge I have been having! These thoughts trigger me into panic attacks. This video is so reassuring and I plan to continue to practice your method. You are godsend and I can’t think you enough Paige!
I have intrusive thoughts that wake me up with adrenalin early in the morning. I can only get a few hours sleep. I hear loud voices. See faces. Loud noises sometimes. Then I get an adrenalin surge and panic attack . I can't go back to sleep. This has been going on for months. How can I have that much adrenalin. It doesn't seem to want to burn out. My other anxiety symptoms seem to be going away but this one has intensified and causes fear. Sometimes the fear will diminish. But then comes back. I try to let it be. Laugh at it. Sing to it but it seems to make it stronger. The surges will sometimes happen during the day. I need to take care of a special needs child so I need to solve this.
Thanks for the video - very helpful. As a clinician, how do you decide if someone has "pure O - OCD" or "GAD - generalized anxiety disorder"? I have been to therapists for 30 years and the diagnosis has always been GAD, for which CBT has been the recommended therapy. However, the more I learned about OCD, I realized as a child I had a lot of compulsions such as hair pulling, nail biting, superstitions and fears, and then as an adult, I just could not my shake obsessive thinking and rumination, for which my solution was to "do research", which I thought was just "problem solving" even though I would just go over and over the worries in my mind until I was exhausted. CBT has been only moderately effective. Wondering if ERP therapy would be much more helpful.
That’s a great question. GAD typically presents with constant worries surrounding multiple topics and tension and sometimes hyper vigilance. The subject matter of the worry is not distressing to the person, but the overall experience of lots of different worries and tension can be distressing. For someone with OCD, there are specific themes or thoughts, sensations or images that get stuck. They do certain mental or physical compulsions to relieve the anxiety and discomfort. Both GAD and OCD can have cycles, but OCD is more obsessive in nature. And the themes involve topics that are ego dystonic, meaning that thoughts do not reflect how that person views themselves and are not thoughts that they want to have. It sounds like you were experiencing obsessive thoughts and not GAD by how you were describing it. Hair pulling and nail biting are called body focused repetitive behaviors and they are often experienced by people with OCD. Rumination is a common mental compulsion and researching is also a common compulsion. In my opinion, you would be helped by ERP. If you want to learn ERP, I am offering a savings on my ERP for Pure O and OCD course this week. The savings ends Friday 4/8. Here is a link: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thanks for the response! I will definitely take a loop at the course. I am not in any kind of therapy right now so it could be just what I need!
Hi Paige, Came across your channel & your videos are really eye opening. I have HOCD & it’s a huge problem in my life. Your videos are helping me understand what’s is going on in my mind. I couldn’t find the 2nd video to follow this one. Would you please comment with the link. I appreciate everything you are doing. Thank you.
Hi Angela. I am so glad that my videos are helpful. This video was an introductory video included in my OCD and Pure O course. I cover treatment for 18 different OCD and Pure O themes in my course and give you examples for each of them. There is such a high demand for help and yet a shortage of specialists. I thought recording exactly what to do in a course would be a great option. You can find out more here: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
I feel like my intrusive thoughts affect certain external things that are unrelated, then I can't look at that thing the same way again because it has now been tainted
Thank you Paige. I realised that I struggle with undercontrol in terms of being impulsive and making mistakes. But then I ruminate all day about those mistakes and fall into an ocd overcontrol spiral of past event and then worrying if it’s ocd or just guilt from being in the wrong. Does anyone feel this way too?
Thank you for sharing. Many people will relate to what you described. It sounds like a bit of perfectionism OCD is mixed in and you are expecting perfect control and behaviors at all times, or you are hit with guilt and shame. Perfection is impossible for any of us and we all need more flexibility in accepting a variety or behaviors ranging from impulsive to controlled where most of our behaviors will be in the middle range. If you need help in treatment for past event ocd and/or perfectionism, I cover both of these in my course for OCD. www.paigepradko.com/ocd.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you for your reply Paige, that's very kind of you! I had never thought about my ocd as perfectionism before yet it feels like such relief to have your outlook on this. I truly appreciate it, and thanks for sending in the link, I'll have a look :)
Yip. It's fuking torture. And the ones who try make it eorst or you worst purposefully.. they say what I say does Hurt them I respond with did you say what I say? As I don't think these things they pop in.
I have this condition. When dealing with unbearibly negative thoughts I find the advice of allowing the thoughts is not helpful, xbecause it’s impossible not to feel guilty , so what to do? I just let go on the spot not allowing nor suppressing, it takes time to learn but I think its the best approach
Hello I have a new ocd where I keep thinking about this disturbing thought but more specifically it’s about a news story where something very disturbing happened and i can’t get it off my mind and my brain keeps telling me I’m a bad person or something bad will happen and the thought literally won’t leave my mind like it’s not giving me much anxiety and I haven’t done compulsions much and I’m just confused I’m not doing compulsions I’m not feeling anxiety why won’t the thought just leave my mind?
Is it possible that you are mentally checking to see if you are having the thought? Mental checking is a common compulsion that feels almost automatic. My advice would be to just allow the thought to be there without frustration or examination. Eventually your brain will become bored of it. Sometimes these thoughts get stuck for a bit…try your best to treat it as if you are unconcerned whether it is there or not.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy hello thank you for responding yeah I think that’s what is happening however how can I stop it my brain seems to be doing that by itself
Ive got every Pure O subtype under the sun and it is debilitating, i developed it last summer and then sort of got it under control and now i feel like ive relapsed and second time round its like these unwanted thoughts are getting stronger, never-ending, just hope it doesn't go on in 5-10 years time.
It's the Streisand effect within your own mind. The more you resist them the more persistent they get. It's why you have to play with the thoughts. Have fun with it
Could pure-OCD be a result from growing up with narcisstic parent? The uncertainty about who you are is a foundation for your unsure identity formed because living with a individual that are sooo certain because they fighting reality and you as a kid get no emotional validation...?
Experiences can certainly express our genetics. It is difficult for us to know and understand what causes OCD. We believe it is a combination of genetics, biology and environment. But, we also know that infections can also cause OCD. I am truly sorry that you had a difficult childhood and did not feel seen or heard or valued. 😢
This is all true! I was diagnosed 10 years ago with OCD. My Psychiatrist tells me the OCD will come up also when things are good. And yes certain times of monthe OCD like to flare up. I accept I have this. Its changed my life knowing its just the OCD. It never goes away but I mangae it. I accept it when it.comes up. Oh theres the OCD. I dont try ot fight itand make it go way. For me I turn to someone I can help.
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Hi Paige, I stopped the compulsions, but the anxiety of being gay/bisexual still persists. What worries me is that I read somewhere that this anxiety of being gay/ bisexual can change my sexual orientation. Is it true or nonsense? Please help me
Hi Celeste. I am sorry that you are distressed. I believe I answered you before and I do not want to give you reassurance that causes your ocd cycle to continue.
Hi paige Thanks so much for your videos they are alot of help. I've been having intrusive thoughts and recently having my inner voice saying things that give me anxiety. No so much the thought/images but more the voice. Is that still normal with intrusive thoughts.
Hi Ivan. I am sorry that you are experiencing that. It can be related to OCD, but there can be other explanations as well. My advice would be to be assessed by a therapist that includes assessments and a full history for an accurate diagnosis.
Hello Paige. Love the videos as always. I have a video suggestion. How about you do a detailed video on obsessive thoughts vs intrusive thoughts I get confused on the definition and meaning of the 2. Is there a major difference? Would love to see a video with a breakdown? What do think?
Hi! Thank you so much for making this video. I actually had a question about intrusive thoughts : you said in the video that all humans have the same kind of thoughts, that they’re meaningless. What about people that actually act on the thoughts they’re having? How do you make a difference between intrusive thoughts and actual desires?
That’s a great question. People with actual desires are not bothered by their thoughts and would not refer to them as unwanted or intrusive thoughts. They also would not have obsessive thoughts because the thoughts would not cause them to feel anxious and they would not be analyzing or ruminating or doing other compulsions in an attempt to lower their anxiety or to not have the thoughts.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I was also wondering: is it possible that the obsession comes true due to the constant rumination? In other words, can obsessing over something make the obsession true with time? I’m very worried that with time, the distinction between the horrible thought and my actual desires will blur in my head and convince me once and for all that my obsession was founded in the first place.
Hi Paige, I have a brief question regarding OCD. I have already learned that OCD makes us doubt what we value most in life. Can OCD also take these valued things away from me? For instance, if I value my sexual orientation, can OCD take my sexual orientation away from me?
Hi Rose. No, OCD has no control over your behavior. We cannot control our initial thoughts, but we can control our behaviors. OCD may create doubt in your sexual orientation, but it cannot change or take away your sexual orientation. You are you….ocd likes to create imaginary stories that create doubt. You don’t have to believe those imaginary stories.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you for reply. It really means a lot that you reply to our comments. Therefore Sexual Orientation OCD or its thoughts or thoughts in general cannot take away any of my attraction I feel to the opposite sex, and cannot cause attraction to the same sex, either, correct?
@@rosemiller6120, ocd can create doubt and confusion. Best to have a mindset that regardless of doubt and confusion caused by ocd, follow what you know and value about your true self.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Well, I'm not scared of acting on the thoughts-I know I won't act on them, because I don't want to. Instead, I am scared of OCD ""stealing"" my identity. Based on your previous answers I assume that Sexual Orientation OCD or its thoughts or thoughts in general cannot take away any of my attraction I feel to the opposite sex, and cannot cause attraction to the same sex, either, right?
I am so sorry that you are having intrusive thoughts and that they make you feel depressed and guilty. You can approach this a few different ways. One way is to expose yourself to the thoughts and train your brain that you can tolerate the thoughts and soon, your brain will be sick of them and not create the same high level of discomfort. Or, you can allow the thoughts when they happen, but not engage with the thoughts. I recommend using the I. A.M. method for that.
Does OCD actually make sense? Isn’t it normal, if you’re conscientious and don’t generally make what you think would be sensible decisions in spite of some uncertainty, to become obsessed by the search of a means to find a solution to the resulting accumulation of problems in your life?
It makes sense to search for a solution to a solvable problem. It doesn’t make sense to try to answer an unsolvable, unknowable or irrational problem. Often times OCD creates doubt surrounding irrational or unanswerable issues.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy What OCD is looking for is an end to your current torments. However, if instead of acting in such a way as to give yourself good reasons to be at ease, you mistakenly attempt to eliminate all possibilities of harm, you fall into the OCD trap. This is a short-term and unrealistic solution, though the goal is the same: a manageable peace of mind. What I am saying is that it’s difficult to get out of OCD if you don’t see any other way to stop your anxiety. It’s like asking a lost and thirsty traveller in the desert to stop believing she will find an oasis behind the next dune. Does what I'm saying make sense?
@@rdevalentin I love the way you are conceptualizing OCD. I may ask why we need to do anything to get rid of our anxiety. People with anxiety disorders and OCD have come to believe that they must “do something” to get rid of it and never give themselves the opportunity to learn that anxiety goes away on its own without doing anything.
Do we say what we think cause if people hear my thoughts it would be totally embarassing and against who I am as a person...I feel like I am saying those thoughts at times and now I am battling with guilt of what will people think of me because the thoughts are so sexual and not who I really am
Unfortunately, we have all unintentionally hurt people and we have to find a way to accept that. It is possible that you may be suffering from real event OCD or moral scrupulosity. I cover ERP treatment for those OCD themes in my course if you need help: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
Hi mam, in later comments i asked you doubt of feeling stuck and confused in life. And Ok mam now i got a little bit clear about what you're talking.But mam i have a doubt, when we are in stucked or confused situation you said we need to determine what are our core values right? Ok.But what you really mean by the word 'Core Values'? something we love or love doing? In my case i love reading, i love to learn more about chess game and so on... So mam, is that is what you really mean by the word the word 'Core Values'?🤔
Hi Wilber. Yes, your love of reading could be that you value learning and quiet time. Playing chess could be that you value mentally challenging yourself and spending time with someone doing an activity. These are wonderful valued activities. I value doing just about anything that allows me to spend time with my family. I also value helping others. We all have many values and we tend to be happier if we prioritize our valued activities.
Hi mam, i posted comment on your your video "how to stop playing ocd,whack-a-mole" my question was about my feeling of stuck or confused in my life and your replied to it and your answers really motivates me to get up and start something😊. But mam i feel a little bit doubt about what you exactly mean by important things? In my case for eg: recent days my mental health were becoming worse. so now it's a problem but how can this be my important thing? Also i got confused that in some videos people says that we need to identify problems in life,but you told me that we need to focus on important things. so mam which is right? Thanks.
Hi Wilber. It sounds like you are doubting yourself and what to focus on. Of course you can find endless advice on the internet and this may cause you more confusion. I tend to use a therapy called ACT therapy when people are confused about what to focus on. In ACT therapy, you first identify you core values…what you really care about and what is important to you. We all have slightly different core values. Then, you try to choose activities that are inline with our core values. I hope that makes sense. Let’s say for example that you have a core value of spending time with people that you care about, but you feel socially anxious doing so. Therefore in this example, feeling socially anxious and avoiding social contact would be a problem. ACT therapy suggests being willing to do things that make you uncomfortable if they are important to you and follow your values. In this line of thinking, you deal with the problems if they are preventing you from doing activities that you value. And you have a willingness to do those activities and face that discomfort because you care about it…it is important to you. The first step…is determining what it is that you value as I discussed in the last comment. 😊
Hello mam i am your new subscriber..i am from India and i want to ask you that iam 22 yrs old girl.. Last year i diagnosed from anxiety and insomnia and my doctor suggested me to take benzodiazepins and i took them for almost two year then my all symptoms goes and i feel like iam doing great ..but after that i decided to quit medicine gradually tappered off..my doc told me that you can quit medicine and after quitting a benzo i am facing too much withdrawal symptoms like tremor , anxiety and not being able to sleep.so mam pls can you tell me about how can I manage my symptoms and how to manage insomnia..pls mam pls share some tip which will be helpful for me..
Hi Alina. I am so sorry that you have having these symptoms after your withdrawal. I have had a number of clients go through withdrawal and struggle with those same symptoms. I am not a physician and cannot give you medical advice. However, there is a supportive community called benzobuddies.org and people there may be able to give you support and advice.
Hi Dr. Paige I just want to ask for example you are in the middle of allowing and accepting that intrusive thought then you have to do something ASAP which then distracts you in allowing the intrusive thought. After that being done that intrusive thought came back again and it seems a little hard to accept it this time. What should I do?
Hi Ally. I recommend using the I. A.M. method every time they come back. You will get better at going through the steps automatically and eventually the thoughts will be less frequent. ruclips.net/video/9nEC8yIgFKg/видео.html.
Yes, it is possible. I advice clients to first try ERP therapy. They can be assessed for medications like SSRI’s if needed and desired, but this is a decision they will discuss with their medical providers.
Hi Larry. Hey…that’s awesome that you are in Michigan. Thank you for asking but unfortunately my practice is full at the moment. I am hoping to be able to add additional clients in the Fall. I do have a course available that can give you a jump start in recovery as it covers what I teach in therapy. You can find out more about my course here: www.paigepradko.com/ocd. Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter on my website paigepradko.com so that I can keep you updated. 😊
Thank you for your helpful videos, Paige! Question: do you apply the same principles to your clients with intrusive thoughts about suicide? When the fear of not being able to cope with (and subsequently succumb to) specifically suicidal thoughts is present, what would be your recommendation as to how to approach such clients? Thank you!
Hi. Great question. There is a difference between harm ocd theme and suicidal ideation. I do access this carefully with my clients. With harm ocd, the thoughts are frequent, very upsetting and obsessive. The person does not want to harm themselves or others, they have a fear of it. It is the opposite of what they want. With a person experiencing suicidal ideation, the thoughts are typically not experienced as obsessive and extremely upsetting. In fact they often describe them as calming. If depression symptoms are present and diagnosed, I will treat the client with depression before doing ERP. I access all OCD clients for depression and treat accordingly. I do not treat a client for harm ocd with ERP if that client is in fact depressed. I hope I answered your question.
That’s a great question. Our brains have evolved to keep us safe and warn us of dangers. Because of that, we are reminded of negative experiences and memories so that we don’t repeat them. For example, if we were bit by a snake, our brain will remind us of that negative experience when we see snakes. We are unfortunately made to remember negative instead of positive experiences for survival. But, it really doesn’t help us much in modern life. It seems we would almost be better off if our brains reminded use of positive experiences.
Hi Holly. OCD can feel like Tourette’s and Tourette’s can feel like OCD. There is a type of ocd referred to by specialists as Tourette’s OCD, where the tics are like compulsions. Although not all tics in cases of Tourette’s are compulsions.
Something I have learned over my years of experience with pure O is that the more you try to be rid of the obsession, that’s you giving into it. Not even a minute into the video I can tell that you know what ur talking about 👍🥹
Yes, allow the obsession, resist the compulsions. You’re a genius Paige.🌹
Lol. Glad you are here, Sal.
As someone who succumbed to Pure O when 15-16, but who wasn’t diagnosed and (to a significant extent) successfully treated until my mid thirties, I like to say thank you for this, it’s incredibly helpful and spot on. Even now, it helps me and I hope it helps others.
Thank you, Paul. 🙏❤️
I have just realizes that this is something that I have been dealing with since my late 20's. A crazy thought would come to me and because it was unwanted I would fight it...and then the stress...anxiety would come like a flood. Ruining my quality of life. This has really helped me. Thank you!
Me too. I started when I was 12. Not diagnosed until 32 :(
Same age it strated
Is it medicine or therapy?
Just learning that so many other people have this problem has helped me tremendously.
She did us all a favor by explaining Pure “O”. Outstanding job, thank you! I struggle with this, it’s a monster. Glad I’m not the only one going through it.
You are definitely not alone, Andy. This is a very common experience and I am glad that more people are becoming aware of OCD and Pure O.
So much truth in this video. What especially hit me is that you mentioned that OCD gets harder to handle when we are tired. This confirmed what I was noticing, that whatever progress I make towards recovery, I always slip back to old habits when I'm stressed and overburdened, eg. at work. Thanks for this. I'll check out your other vids, I hope to find some strategy to deal with that.
Hi Kipon. Here is a playlist for Pure O OCD
ruclips.net/p/PL1lUhuKpYUYqKvEwlGXoRPDu_8blhbaq-l. If you need more help, I have a course that provides that more detailed help:
OCD Self Assessment Quiz
www.paigepradko.com/ocdquiz
OCD course
www.paigepradko.com/ocd
Hello i suffer alot from OCD can i take medicine @@PaigePradkoTherapy
Thank you so so so much ma'am, I have now started to realize that I have been facing this since a few years and recently during an exam had these thoughts and got really scared, I couldn't focus as I tried to suppress it and telling myself that it wasn't true and nothing bad was happening to anyone, but my brain kept telling me what if it was and I was just helpless at that moment, thanku very much for what you have explained to me..❤🙏🏻
You're most welcome. Do your best to not interact with those thoughts. They will keep trying to come at you and convince you that you need to be concerned. Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t interact with the thoughts. Allow them to float there, and then do whatever you were doing with focused attention on that activity.
To get over my pure ocd i had to figure out the initial reason it all started. Mine was a fear of learning. Crazy i know! It sent me down a rabbit hole of torture, but finding the fear that started it all is what finally got me to stop listening to the triggering questions that i didn't have any business hearing in the first place. I hope this helps someone on their journey back, and if you are ruminating over the current intrusive thought, the only medication i took was a third of a tablet of benadryl, which is a sedatives but a whole tablet would put me to sleep.
Omg💗
Thank you Ms. Pradko. This information has been extremely helpful as we deal with a loved one having this condition. You are very calming and assuring.
Hi Paige, Paul here. Thanks so much for making these videos and passing on your knowledge of this condition. You are soo helpful and I really appreciate it.
Thank you for watching and commenting, Paul. 🙏❤️
Paige, I'm going through a very bad bout of Pure O at the moment and have found your videos absolutely invaluable. You have a very kind and compassionate manner, you project kindness, empathy and compassion in a way I've not felt from other video therapists. You also have a very calming voice which really soothes the listener. I've subscribed to your channel and am watching several of your videos daily as part of my self-care regimen. Thank you for all you do for sufferers.
@@ragargonauts, thank you for your compliment. I’m so glad you found my videos and hope they are helpful.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Your videos have been a lifeline, I've had a terrible Pure O spike this last week, I'm also autistic, which adds other dimensions to the complexity of the thoughts, feeling and anxieties. You have a true gift, your voice is immensely soothing and reassuring. I really look forward to more of your videos...
Thanks Paige for how in details you explain the pure o. I am suffering from it for a long time and has significantly affected the quality of my life.
I am so sorry, Mohammed. I hope the video helps you.
I've been learning more of my anxiety and become better to cope with it in 3 weeks watching your videos and doing your techniques than months of paid teraphy. You are awesome thank you for share your golden knowledge!
New subscriber here. Thank you so much for all your posts and for generously sharing your knowledge. Very helpful and informative. Much grateful. Blessed be. 🙏
Thank you for your kind comments. Welcome to my channel 😊❤️
Uk subscriber here..I suffer from intrusive thoughts & anxiety & found your video very useful & helpful 👌 I look forward to your next video.
Thank you for subscribing and watching, Paul. Love Uk…cheers 😊
I keep watching and your videos are helping. Hopefully. Had daily bad memories for years. Big thanks. 🙂
I hope they help as well.🙏😊
This is the most accurate video that I am dealing with right now and I’m so grateful for your content Paige! It has helped me understand why I felt the way I do! After 4 days of hell, I finally could function again because of your videos. Thank you so much!
I’m so grateful that my videos have helped you.
Gives me a little bit of peace knowing I'm not the only one going through this. Unfortunately everytime I try to find a therapist for it they don't feel like they know what this is or how to treat it, or look at me like I'm a monster. So now I'm focusing on working on this alone.
I am sorry that you have had that experience. There are many therapists and psychiatrists even that are unfamiliar with OCD. If you need guidance in recovery, I have a program where I walk you through the process. www.paigepradko.com/ocd
You might wish to find a therapist whe specialize specifically in OCD therapy and that uses as one of the tools in the process of recovering called Exposure Response Prevention. For success the therapist you're seeing should be trained in the above type of OCD therapy. From my thorough research this is the most success type of treatment for OCD sufferers. Good luck!❤
Thank you. We are being programmed to be mentally ill by mainstream entertainment. The shows I watch as a child would have a lesson at the end of each show. Those lessons taught me to get inside of my head and take my thoughts serious as if they’re reality. The Power Rangers taught me to live inside of my head because it was more valuable than reality.
Its very hard to retrain my brain. Its tiring. Still trying to do it everyday. Hope it gets better with time and practice. Thankyou for your help. 😊
Paige, I really got a lot more understanding from your video here.
A good big picture logical perspective to understand my own situation with this type of irrational thinking and the unnecessary compulsions from those intrusive thoughts. The why it is, and the how to try and break the ocd stages from that first initial ocd type anxiety thought. I tend to struggle with unnecessary doubt and rumination about things I know logically I don't need to be doubtful of, including thoughts of actions I would *never* want to do ( ie the intrusive flash thought ), and me actually knowingly doing something completely the opposite of that intrusive thought. It's a struggle sometimes, but your video puts these intrusive thoughts in better perspective around the process that is going on within ocd.
And that term "ego dystonic" I've never heard before, but explains a lot of what is going on within the struggle of ocd.
Very Helpful! ❤
Thank you. I hope that the video was helpful ❤️
@@PaigePradkoTherapy You're welcome, it was, it had a lot of wisdom within it.
Your every word is my issue..... explained from deep roots....
I hope listening has been helpful. Thank you for commenting 🙏❤️
This video is great!!! I wish I could get my family to watch this and get them to understand pure o.
Hi Gabriel. Even therapists untrained in OCD do not recognize and understand Pure O OCD. I hope that you send a link to your family. I am thinking of making a few videos just for family members. Hope you feel supported and know that you are not alone and there is treatment for OCD.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I've had pure o since I was 8 years old and when meds came into the mix it only made it more and more confusing.I do know what pure o is and that I have severe OCD. I always have to cancel out my thoughts and it makes me utterly exhausted.
Thank you for this insightfull video. I have intrusive thoughts, agoraphobia and panic disorder. Watching your videos helps me to navigate more easily through my challengas. What you say makes so much sense. You really hit the nail on this. My panic attacks have lessend, I go out even if I feel anxios and my intrusive thoughts don't have so much power over me because I know now I'm a good person inspite of having these thoughts.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video.
You’re welcome, Martin. I hope it is helpful. Thank you for watching and commenting 🙏❤️
Thanks for the Clear explanation of OCD.
My pleasure 😊
Just found your channel & have a couple of questions. I have worked with a couple of therapists but not many understand pure o.
1. I have made tremendous progress in my ability to detach from new intrusive thoughts - they really don't bother me much at all anymore.
2. However, I am having a really hard time moving on from the initial thoughts I had that sent me into this obsessive cycle.
3. I have such shame and fear attached to those original thoughts even though cognitively I know they are "not me"
4. I do not know how to "move past" these scary/disturbing/upsetting thoughts. :(
Hi Becky. I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. In my opinion, shame is the most painful human emotion. And perhaps why these thoughts create a fear reaction in us is because of the shame that they induce in us. Yet, the thoughts are created in your imagination…they are not real. So, you are inducing shame through your imagination. I have several ways that I teach people to let go of this shame in my course on Pure O and OCD. I should probably make a video where I just talk about the shame…that every single person with pure O and OCD experiences. I am so proud of you for talking about this. Because one thing that releases shame is talking about it and not keeping your pain a secret.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy hello mam...i just found your vedio......my name is rajasree 18 years old.I am from India ..i am suffering with pure o OCD from the last year...It started after the demise of my father....which made me the much worried...day by day my OCD is evolving with new matters and thoughts....initially it was horrifying to me but now I somehow get used to it...could u please explain how a traumatic situation lead to OCD.And could u please tell me how to open up something to others that is really shameful ,regreting and your fault......
Especially to your family...who only have the very basic knowledge of OCD...they are not understanding the thing i say in the same meaning i convey...because they have not experienced it.
It would be nice if u give me some guidance on this.
Omg Me too
This was so so so helpful thank you so much.
You’re welcome, Faith. Glad it was helpful 🙏❤️
This video really helps me thank you for taking the time to help others.
I'm so glad! You’re so welcome 🙏❤️
Does anyone else obsessively twirl and flick ther hair for hours on end ? I do with my beard and you can always tell when im fighting my thoughts and anxietybad cause half my beard is in long dreads . Its embaressing and i dont know what about it makes me less anxious. Would love to know im not alone and a total looney .
Hi. We call that BFRB or body focused repetitive behavior. It is similar to ocd in that you have the urge to do the behavior when you are anxious, and the compulsion lowers the anxiety, thus creating a cycle. It is very common and usually seen in hair pulling and skin picking. To treat it, there are recommended strategies to help you resist the urge.
hey paige, from your help i now do not suffer with these intrusive thoughts i cant thank you enough 💙💙
That’s wonderful to hear. ❤️
Thank you so much Paige, I’ve been struggling for about 3 months now but now I realise that they’re just silly stupid thoughts that don’t matter and don’t make me a bad person! You don’t know how much this helped me and thanks you 💙
I am so glad the video was helpful. ❤️
I had them for years. I used ERP to get rid of them.
Thank you so much for making me understand the challenge I have been having! These thoughts trigger me into panic attacks. This video is so reassuring and I plan to continue to practice your method. You are godsend and I can’t think you enough Paige!
You are so welcome!
I have intrusive thoughts that wake me up with adrenalin early in the morning. I can only get a few hours sleep. I hear loud voices. See faces. Loud noises sometimes. Then I get an adrenalin surge and panic attack . I can't go back to sleep. This has been going on for months. How can I have that much adrenalin. It doesn't seem to want to burn out. My other anxiety symptoms seem to be going away but this one has intensified and causes fear. Sometimes the fear will diminish. But then comes back. I try to let it be. Laugh at it. Sing to it but it seems to make it stronger. The surges will sometimes happen during the day. I need to take care of a special needs child so I need to solve this.
Thank you Paige! You explaine so good these disorder wich bother me by such a long period of Time!
You’re welcome and thank you for watching. I hope my videos are helpful 🙏🏼😊
Hi I worked on debunking, demystify of control, perfection, self doubt. Baby steps towards how things bother me less.
Hey…good for you. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the video - very helpful. As a clinician, how do you decide if someone has "pure O - OCD" or "GAD - generalized anxiety disorder"? I have been to therapists for 30 years and the diagnosis has always been GAD, for which CBT has been the recommended therapy. However, the more I learned about OCD, I realized as a child I had a lot of compulsions such as hair pulling, nail biting, superstitions and fears, and then as an adult, I just could not my shake obsessive thinking and rumination, for which my solution was to "do research", which I thought was just "problem solving" even though I would just go over and over the worries in my mind until I was exhausted. CBT has been only moderately effective. Wondering if ERP therapy would be much more helpful.
That’s a great question. GAD typically presents with constant worries surrounding multiple topics and tension and sometimes hyper vigilance. The subject matter of the worry is not distressing to the person, but the overall experience of lots of different worries and tension can be distressing. For someone with OCD, there are specific themes or thoughts, sensations or images that get stuck. They do certain mental or physical compulsions to relieve the anxiety and discomfort. Both GAD and OCD can have cycles, but OCD is more obsessive in nature. And the themes involve topics that are ego dystonic, meaning that thoughts do not reflect how that person views themselves and are not thoughts that they want to have.
It sounds like you were experiencing obsessive thoughts and not GAD by how you were describing it. Hair pulling and nail biting are called body focused repetitive behaviors and they are often experienced by people with OCD. Rumination is a common mental compulsion and researching is also a common compulsion. In my opinion, you would be helped by ERP. If you want to learn ERP, I am offering a savings on my ERP for Pure O and OCD course this week. The savings ends Friday 4/8. Here is a link: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thanks for the response! I will definitely take a loop at the course. I am not in any kind of therapy right now so it could be just what I need!
Hi Paige,
Came across your channel & your videos are really eye opening. I have HOCD & it’s a huge problem in my life. Your videos are helping me understand what’s is going on in my mind. I couldn’t find the 2nd video to follow this one. Would you please comment with the link. I appreciate everything you are doing.
Thank you.
Hi Angela. I am so glad that my videos are helpful. This video was an introductory video included in my OCD and Pure O course. I cover treatment for 18 different OCD and Pure O themes in my course and give you examples for each of them. There is such a high demand for help and yet a shortage of specialists. I thought recording exactly what to do in a course would be a great option. You can find out more here: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
Thanks ma'am for supporting us .
Love from India
You are more than welcome. It’s my pleasure 🙏❤️
I feel like my intrusive thoughts affect certain external things that are unrelated, then I can't look at that thing the same way again because it has now been tainted
Thank you Paige. I realised that I struggle with undercontrol in terms of being impulsive and making mistakes. But then I ruminate all day about those mistakes and fall into an ocd overcontrol spiral of past event and then worrying if it’s ocd or just guilt from being in the wrong.
Does anyone feel this way too?
Thank you for sharing. Many people will relate to what you described. It sounds like a bit of perfectionism OCD is mixed in and you are expecting perfect control and behaviors at all times, or you are hit with guilt and shame. Perfection is impossible for any of us and we all need more flexibility in accepting a variety or behaviors ranging from impulsive to controlled where most of our behaviors will be in the middle range. If you need help in treatment for past event ocd and/or perfectionism, I cover both of these in my course for OCD. www.paigepradko.com/ocd.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you for your reply Paige, that's very kind of you! I had never thought about my ocd as perfectionism before yet it feels like such relief to have your outlook on this. I truly appreciate it, and thanks for sending in the link, I'll have a look :)
Yip. It's fuking torture. And the ones who try make it eorst or you worst purposefully.. they say what I say does Hurt them I respond with did you say what I say? As I don't think these things they pop in.
Brilliant explanation. It's one of the best videos I've seen on the topic so far. Thank you, Paige.
Wow, thank you! Hope it was helpful!
Thanks for the this. It's thinking that's it so don't. Think about it that's it freedom good luck 🇬🇧🍀🙏🤞👍
🙏😊
you are very great. I learned a lot of things.Thanks so much
Thank you Paige. This is really helpful.
Thank you Richard.🙏❤️
your explanations are very very calming. Thank you
Thank you for sharing that 🙏❤️
the thought what if its not ocd is unbearable(((((
I have this condition. When dealing with unbearibly negative thoughts I find the advice of allowing the thoughts is not helpful, xbecause it’s impossible not to feel guilty , so what to do? I just let go on the spot not allowing nor suppressing, it takes time to learn but I think its the best approach
Paige I found the quiz almost as soon as I finished writing you . Sorry for the confusion!
Hahaha. I just sent it before I saw this. No problem 😊
Hello I have a new ocd where I keep thinking about this disturbing thought but more specifically it’s about a news story where something very disturbing happened and i can’t get it off my mind and my brain keeps telling me I’m a bad person or something bad will happen and the thought literally won’t leave my mind like it’s not giving me much anxiety and I haven’t done compulsions much and I’m just confused I’m not doing compulsions I’m not feeling anxiety why won’t the thought just leave my mind?
Is it possible that you are mentally checking to see if you are having the thought? Mental checking is a common compulsion that feels almost automatic. My advice would be to just allow the thought to be there without frustration or examination. Eventually your brain will become bored of it. Sometimes these thoughts get stuck for a bit…try your best to treat it as if you are unconcerned whether it is there or not.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy hello thank you for responding yeah I think that’s what is happening however how can I stop it my brain seems to be doing that by itself
I prefer this method ruclips.net/video/9nEC8yIgFKg/видео.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you I think your method helped me calm down a bit
Ive got every Pure O subtype under the sun and it is debilitating, i developed it last summer and then sort of got it under control and now i feel like ive relapsed and second time round its like these unwanted thoughts are getting stronger, never-ending, just hope it doesn't go on in 5-10 years time.
It's the Streisand effect within your own mind. The more you resist them the more persistent they get. It's why you have to play with the thoughts. Have fun with it
Yes! I agree!
Could pure-OCD be a result from growing up with narcisstic parent? The uncertainty about who you are is a foundation for your unsure identity formed because living with a individual that are sooo certain because they fighting reality and you as a kid get no emotional validation...?
Experiences can certainly express our genetics. It is difficult for us to know and understand what causes OCD. We believe it is a combination of genetics, biology and environment. But, we also know that infections can also cause OCD. I am truly sorry that you had a difficult childhood and did not feel seen or heard or valued. 😢
This is all true! I was diagnosed 10 years ago with OCD. My Psychiatrist tells me the OCD will come up also when things are good. And yes certain times of monthe OCD like to flare up. I accept I have this. Its changed my life knowing its just the OCD.
It never goes away but I mangae it. I accept it when it.comes up. Oh theres the OCD. I dont try ot fight itand make it go way. For me I turn to someone I can help.
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How i contact u
@@thomasmccarthy712 , you may send me a message at paigepradko.com
@@PaigePradkoTherapy hi how are u
@@PaigePradkoTherapy u ever hear hocd
Hi Paige, I stopped the compulsions, but the anxiety of being gay/bisexual still persists. What worries me is that I read somewhere that this anxiety of being gay/ bisexual can change my sexual orientation. Is it true or nonsense? Please help me
Hi Celeste. I am sorry that you are distressed. I believe I answered you before and I do not want to give you reassurance that causes your ocd cycle to continue.
Hi paige
Thanks so much for your videos they are alot of help.
I've been having intrusive thoughts and recently having my inner voice saying things that give me anxiety. No so much the thought/images but more the voice. Is that still normal with intrusive thoughts.
Hi Ivan. I am sorry that you are experiencing that. It can be related to OCD, but there can be other explanations as well. My advice would be to be assessed by a therapist that includes assessments and a full history for an accurate diagnosis.
Thank you for information of OCD.
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.
Hello Paige.
Love the videos as always. I have a video suggestion.
How about you do a detailed video on obsessive thoughts vs intrusive thoughts
I get confused on the definition and meaning of the 2. Is there a major difference?
Would love to see a video with a breakdown? What do think?
I love your suggestions, as usual. Keep them coming. 😊❤️
Than you so much, Paige
You are a Life saver
Thank you. I’m grateful if I can help. 🙏❤️
Hi! Thank you so much for making this video. I actually had a question about intrusive thoughts : you said in the video that all humans have the same kind of thoughts, that they’re meaningless. What about people that actually act on the thoughts they’re having? How do you make a difference between intrusive thoughts and actual desires?
That’s a great question. People with actual desires are not bothered by their thoughts and would not refer to them as unwanted or intrusive thoughts. They also would not have obsessive thoughts because the thoughts would not cause them to feel anxious and they would not be analyzing or ruminating or doing other compulsions in an attempt to lower their anxiety or to not have the thoughts.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I was also wondering: is it possible that the obsession comes true due to the constant rumination? In other words, can obsessing over something make the obsession true with time? I’m very worried that with time, the distinction between the horrible thought and my actual desires will blur in my head and convince me once and for all that my obsession was founded in the first place.
Thanks.very helpful.🌹🌸.
You’re welcome 🙏😊
Hi Paige,
I have a brief question regarding OCD. I have already learned that OCD makes us doubt what we value most in life. Can OCD also take these valued things away from me? For instance, if I value my sexual orientation, can OCD take my sexual orientation away from me?
Hi Rose. No, OCD has no control over your behavior. We cannot control our initial thoughts, but we can control our behaviors. OCD may create doubt in your sexual orientation, but it cannot change or take away your sexual orientation. You are you….ocd likes to create imaginary stories that create doubt. You don’t have to believe those imaginary stories.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you for reply. It really means a lot that you reply to our comments. Therefore Sexual Orientation OCD or its thoughts or thoughts in general cannot take away any of my attraction I feel to the opposite sex, and cannot cause attraction to the same sex, either, correct?
@@rosemiller6120, ocd can create doubt and confusion. Best to have a mindset that regardless of doubt and confusion caused by ocd, follow what you know and value about your true self.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Well, I'm not scared of acting on the thoughts-I know I won't act on them, because I don't want to. Instead, I am scared of OCD ""stealing"" my identity. Based on your previous answers I assume that Sexual Orientation OCD or its thoughts or thoughts in general cannot take away any of my attraction I feel to the opposite sex, and cannot cause attraction to the same sex, either, right?
Can we be fully recovered from anxiety
This is exactly what I am going through. But I feel so guilty and depressed when I purposely think those thoughts as a part of erp...
I am so sorry that you are having intrusive thoughts and that they make you feel depressed and guilty. You can approach this a few different ways. One way is to expose yourself to the thoughts and train your brain that you can tolerate the thoughts and soon, your brain will be sick of them and not create the same high level of discomfort. Or, you can allow the thoughts when they happen, but not engage with the thoughts. I recommend using the I. A.M. method for that.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you so much for your valuable reply 🙏
Very helpful
Does OCD actually make sense? Isn’t it normal, if you’re conscientious and don’t generally make what you think would be sensible decisions in spite of some uncertainty, to become obsessed by the search of a means to find a solution to the resulting accumulation of problems in your life?
It makes sense to search for a solution to a solvable problem. It doesn’t make sense to try to answer an unsolvable, unknowable or irrational problem. Often times OCD creates doubt surrounding irrational or unanswerable issues.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy What OCD is looking for is an end to your current torments. However, if instead of acting in such a way as to give yourself good reasons to be at ease, you mistakenly attempt to eliminate all possibilities of harm, you fall into the OCD trap. This is a short-term and unrealistic solution, though the goal is the same: a manageable peace of mind. What I am saying is that it’s difficult to get out of OCD if you don’t see any other way to stop your anxiety. It’s like asking a lost and thirsty traveller in the desert to stop believing she will find an oasis behind the next dune. Does what I'm saying make sense?
@@rdevalentin I love the way you are conceptualizing OCD. I may ask why we need to do anything to get rid of our anxiety. People with anxiety disorders and OCD have come to believe that they must “do something” to get rid of it and never give themselves the opportunity to learn that anxiety goes away on its own without doing anything.
Thank you so much for your work. You bring bkessings to so many. May you be blessed by God always.
Thank you. And wishing you those blessings as well. ❤️
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you.
Hi Paige You had said you left a quiz on ocd but I have yet to find it.
Oh no. Here you go: OCD Self Assessment Quiz
www.paigepradko.com/ocdquiz
Can.OCD cause complete emotional numbness 24/7 for yeaars???? Like not feel.anything at all??
Do we say what we think cause if people hear my thoughts it would be totally embarassing and against who I am as a person...I feel like I am saying those thoughts at times and now I am battling with guilt of what will people think of me because the thoughts are so sexual and not who I really am
Your thoughts are not who you are. If they upset you, that is a sure sign that they are intrusive thoughts and are the opposite of who you are.
Thanks for your reply.I appreciate it.
I have thoughts I've already hurt someone not that I will hurt someone, it's really hard to ignore.
Unfortunately, we have all unintentionally hurt people and we have to find a way to accept that. It is possible that you may be suffering from real event OCD or moral scrupulosity. I cover ERP treatment for those OCD themes in my course if you need help: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
Thank you
🙏❤️
I used to have these for years and it was awful. I learnt ERP myself and haven't had them for years.
What should I do
Hi mam, in later comments i asked you doubt of feeling stuck and confused in life. And Ok mam now i got a little bit clear about what you're talking.But mam i have a doubt, when we are in stucked or confused situation you said we need to determine what are our core values right? Ok.But what you really mean by the word 'Core Values'? something we love or love doing?
In my case i love reading, i love to learn more about chess game and so on...
So mam, is that is what you really mean by the word the word 'Core Values'?🤔
Hi Wilber. Yes, your love of reading could be that you value learning and quiet time. Playing chess could be that you value mentally challenging yourself and spending time with someone doing an activity. These are wonderful valued activities. I value doing just about anything that allows me to spend time with my family. I also value helping others. We all have many values and we tend to be happier if we prioritize our valued activities.
In a country where therapy isn't taken serious or even mental disorders like these. 🥺But am struggling to get better by myself everyday
That is so difficult. I am sorry that you are struggling and I hope my videos help you.
Hi mam, i posted comment on your your video "how to stop playing ocd,whack-a-mole" my question was about my feeling of stuck or confused in my life and your replied to it and your answers really motivates me to get up and start something😊. But mam i feel a little bit doubt about what you exactly mean by important things? In my case for eg: recent days my mental health were becoming worse. so now it's a problem but how can this be my important thing? Also i got confused that in some videos people says that we need to identify problems in life,but you told me that we need to focus on important things. so mam which is right? Thanks.
Hi Wilber. It sounds like you are doubting yourself and what to focus on. Of course you can find endless advice on the internet and this may cause you more confusion. I tend to use a therapy called ACT therapy when people are confused about what to focus on. In ACT therapy, you first identify you core values…what you really care about and what is important to you. We all have slightly different core values. Then, you try to choose activities that are inline with our core values. I hope that makes sense. Let’s say for example that you have a core value of spending time with people that you care about, but you feel socially anxious doing so. Therefore in this example, feeling socially anxious and avoiding social contact would be a problem. ACT therapy suggests being willing to do things that make you uncomfortable if they are important to you and follow your values. In this line of thinking, you deal with the problems if they are preventing you from doing activities that you value. And you have a willingness to do those activities and face that discomfort because you care about it…it is important to you. The first step…is determining what it is that you value as I discussed in the last comment. 😊
Hello mam i am your new subscriber..i am from India and i want to ask you that iam 22 yrs old girl.. Last year i diagnosed from anxiety and insomnia and my doctor suggested me to take benzodiazepins and i took them for almost two year then my all symptoms goes and i feel like iam doing great ..but after that i decided to quit medicine gradually tappered off..my doc told me that you can quit medicine and after quitting a benzo i am facing too much withdrawal symptoms like tremor , anxiety and not being able to sleep.so mam pls can you tell me about how can I manage my symptoms and how to manage insomnia..pls mam pls share some tip which will be helpful for me..
Hi Alina. I am so sorry that you have having these symptoms after your withdrawal. I have had a number of clients go through withdrawal and struggle with those same symptoms. I am not a physician and cannot give you medical advice. However, there is a supportive community called benzobuddies.org and people there may be able to give you support and advice.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy don't worry mam ... thanks for your reply
Hi Dr. Paige I just want to ask for example you are in the middle of allowing and accepting that intrusive thought then you have to do something ASAP which then distracts you in allowing the intrusive thought. After that being done that intrusive thought came back again and it seems a little hard to accept it this time. What should I do?
Hi Ally. I recommend using the I. A.M. method every time they come back. You will get better at going through the steps automatically and eventually the thoughts will be less frequent. ruclips.net/video/9nEC8yIgFKg/видео.html.
thankyou
Can someone point me
Towards the next video please😊
Here is an OCD playlist that has all of the videos: ruclips.net/p/PL1lUhuKpYUYqeYEMpq99fWkjLMxFR4ySU&si=vSCNSmkILvy44ENj
Is it possible to recover from harmocd without meds?
Yes, it is possible. I advice clients to first try ERP therapy. They can be assessed for medications like SSRI’s if needed and desired, but this is a decision they will discuss with their medical providers.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you for your quick response. And your advice
Thanks Paige. Do you take patients? I’m in MI…
Hi Larry. Hey…that’s awesome that you are in Michigan. Thank you for asking but unfortunately my practice is full at the moment. I am hoping to be able to add additional clients in the Fall. I do have a course available that can give you a jump start in recovery as it covers what I teach in therapy. You can find out more about my course here: www.paigepradko.com/ocd.
Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter on my website paigepradko.com so that I can keep you updated. 😊
Sounds good. Thanks again. It’s so weird, what you teach “seems” so simple but man your brain sometimes has a different idea!
Yes….lol…our brains have a mind of their own.😂
You're amazing
Thank you for your helpful videos, Paige! Question: do you apply the same principles to your clients with intrusive thoughts about suicide? When the fear of not being able to cope with (and subsequently succumb to) specifically suicidal thoughts is present, what would be your recommendation as to how to approach such clients? Thank you!
Hi. Great question. There is a difference between harm ocd theme and suicidal ideation. I do access this carefully with my clients. With harm ocd, the thoughts are frequent, very upsetting and obsessive. The person does not want to harm themselves or others, they have a fear of it. It is the opposite of what they want. With a person experiencing suicidal ideation, the thoughts are typically not experienced as obsessive and extremely upsetting. In fact they often describe them as calming. If depression symptoms are present and diagnosed, I will treat the client with depression before doing ERP. I access all OCD clients for depression and treat accordingly. I do not treat a client for harm ocd with ERP if that client is in fact depressed. I hope I answered your question.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy, thank you so much, you cleared it up for me perfectly well. Thanks.
Why do we recall all the things that have scared us in life, like from 30-40-50 years ago?? Thank you for the great video.
That’s a great question. Our brains have evolved to keep us safe and warn us of dangers. Because of that, we are reminded of negative experiences and memories so that we don’t repeat them. For example, if we were bit by a snake, our brain will remind us of that negative experience when we see snakes. We are unfortunately made to remember negative instead of positive experiences for survival. But, it really doesn’t help us much in modern life. It seems we would almost be better off if our brains reminded use of positive experiences.
I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU
Thank you. I do have different options and programs at paigepradko.com
Does ocd feel like tourettes to anyone else
Hi Holly. OCD can feel like Tourette’s and Tourette’s can feel like OCD. There is a type of ocd referred to by specialists as Tourette’s OCD, where the tics are like compulsions. Although not all tics in cases of Tourette’s are compulsions.
Something I have learned over my years of experience with pure O is that the more you try to be rid of the obsession, that’s you giving into it. Not even a minute into the video I can tell that you know what ur talking about 👍🥹
Thank you. You are absolutely right about not engaging with the thoughts. And thank you for the compliment. 🙏❤️