I keep second guessing things even when I know they’re fine. I’ll check that I locked the door, sent the right message, or turned something off, and for a few seconds I feel certain. Then the doubt comes back and makes me feel like I somehow missed something obvious.
The frustrating part is that I usually know it’s the OCD looking for reassurance, but knowing that doesn’t always stop me from checking again. Sometimes I try to sit with the uncertainty, and it feels really uncomfortable, like I’m being careless by not going back to make sure.
I’m trying to remind myself that feeling unsure doesn’t mean something is actually wrong. The doubt can be loud without being useful.
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That feeling of being careless if you don’t check is such a convincing trap. I’ve found that the extra checking only gives me a brief sense of relief, then teaches my brain that the doubt needed an answer.
One thing that helped was setting a simple rule before leaving, like checking the lock once while saying “locked” out loud, then treating any later urge as the OCD asking for reassurance. The discomfort still shows up, but it passes faster when I don’t argue with it or try to prove I’m safe.
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@Jessica_Taylor, that distinction between feeling unsure and something actually being wrong is such a useful one. I’ve had moments where the anxiety felt like a warning, even when nothing had changed.
I’m finding that treating the discomfort as something I can carry, rather than a problem I have to solve immediately, makes a difference. It’s still uncomfortable, but I don’t have to prove I’m responsible by checking again.
@Jerry_Morales, the “locked” rule makes a lot of sense. I’ve used something similar with the stove, taking one deliberate look and naming what I saw instead of going back for another check.
The urge can still pop up halfway down the street, but I remind myself that a second look would only reset the cycle. Waiting ten minutes before deciding whether to check again has helped me see the urge fade without needing to argue with it.