How To Overcome Self-Harm OCD | Suicidal Obsessions
Nov 25, 2019
How to Overcome Self-Harm OCD and Suicidal Obsessions
Understanding Self-Harm OCD vs. Suicidal Ideation
It's crucial to distinguish self-harm OCD from actual suicidal ideation. True suicidal ideation involves real intentions or desires to harm oneself. If you ever feel such urges, it is imperative to seek immediate medical help by contacting emergency services or visiting the nearest emergency room.
On the other hand, self-harm OCD encompasses intrusive thoughts about self-harm that cause significant distress not because the individual wants to act on them, but because the very presence of these thoughts induces anxiety. This differentiation is vital for formulating the correct treatment approach.
Ego-Dystonic vs. Ego-Syntonic Thoughts
Another key factor in identifying self-harm OCD is understanding whether the thoughts are ego-dystonic or ego-syntonic.
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Ego-Dystonic Thoughts
: These are thoughts that feel alien or unwanted to the person. They cause distress because they do not align with the individual's true desires.
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Ego-Syntonic Thoughts
: These are thoughts that align with the individual’s true desires and values.
Self-harm OCD thoughts are primarily ego-dystonic. Individuals with this form of OCD do not want to have these thoughts and often react with extreme anxiety to their presence. Recognizing this can help in correctly identifying the issue as OCD rather than a genuine suicidal ideation problem.
Proper Treatment: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Once a clear distinction is made that an individual is dealing with OCD, specifically self-harm OCD, the appropriate treatment is called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This widely accepted treatment method involves the following steps:
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Identification of Compulsions: Understand what compulsive behaviors are being used to deal with the intrusive thoughts. This can include avoiding certain places, repetitive checking, or seeking reassurance.
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Exposure: Gradually expose the individual to their feared situations or thoughts without allowing them to engage in compulsive behaviors. This helps reduce the anxiety associated with these thoughts over time. For example, if the individual fears they might jump off a bridge, gradual and controlled exposure to being on bridges without avoiding or checking behaviors is implemented.
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Preventing the Response: Prevent the individual from performing compulsive actions or seeking reassurance. This step is crucial because it breaks the cycle of reinforcement that keeps the OCD symptoms alive.
Conclusion
In summary, managing self-harm OCD involves correctly identifying the problem through the differentiation of self-harm intrusive thoughts and true suicidal ideation. After establishing that these thoughts are ego-dystonic and fall under OCD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) becomes the primary treatment method. This systematic approach helps individuals manage their anxiety and reduces the occurrence of these distressing intrusive thoughts.
