Understanding the Confessing Compulsion in OCD vs. Healthy sharing
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition that manifests in various forms, one of which is the confessing compulsion. This compulsion can be distressing, leading individuals to feel an overwhelming urge to confess thoughts, feelings, or actions they fear may be harmful or inappropriate. Understanding this aspect of OCD is crucial for both those who experience it and their loved ones. Is it helpful to share your OCD symptoms with someone else? The answer depends on your intentions. Sharing your experiences with another person can bring us support, validation, and empathy, but could also fuel OCD’s fire if the sharing is a compulsive confession.
What is compulsive confession?
At its core, the confessing compulsion involves a need to disclose perceived wrongdoings, often stemming from intrusive thoughts. These thoughts can range from minor mistakes to more serious concerns, and the individual may feel an intense anxiety about not confessing. It’s important to note that the urge to confess is not necessarily linked to actual wrongdoing; rather, it is often driven by the fear of being judged or causing harm. The confession is typically an admission of something that the sufferer perceives they have done wrong and is an attempt to alleviate anxiety, guilt, or other painful emotions.
In addition to alleviating discomfort related to obsessions and compulsions, people with OCD may confess to be “completely honest” so that the person they are confessing to “truly knows them.” Confession may also be utilized to prevent a dreaded outcome from occurring or as a mechanism of reassurance-seeking.
Compulsive confession does not work. A person may feel temporary relief after confessing, but the confession reinforces to the brain that the obsession is important and needs attention. The obsession gets louder. It also falsely teaches a person that the only way to cope with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings is to perform the compulsion. This is not true. It might be uncomfortable at first to resist confessing, but it leads to much more freedom and relief in the long run.
Intrusive Thoughts: Many individuals with OCD experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts that can be distressing. These thoughts often lead to compulsive behaviors, including the need to confess.
Fear of Consequences: Individuals may worry that their thoughts or actions will lead to dire consequences, whether for themselves or others. Confessing is seen as a way to alleviate this anxiety.
Seeking Reassurance: Confession can serve as a way to seek reassurance from others, hoping that by verbalizing their fears, they can lessen their anxiety.
Perfectionism: Many people with OCD have perfectionistic tendencies, leading them to believe that they must be completely without fault. The need to confess may arise from the fear of not meeting these self-imposed standards.
What about healthy sharing? How can I know the difference?
Sharing your symptoms with another person is not automatically compulsive. There can be great benefit in opening up to another person and letting yourself be known.
When considering whether something is a confession or healthy sharing, it’s important to look at the intention behind the sharing. What is the reason for sharing this? Are you sharing because you desire support and better understanding of what you’re going through, or are you sharing because you fear something terrible will happen if you don’t? Compulsive confession tends to be rooted in anxiety, fear, and shame, whereas healthy sharing is rooted in genuine desire. Compulsive confession comes from a place of urgency and fear and is done repetitively in response to obsessions. Healthy sharing is not as immediate or demanding. It can wait if needed.
The confessing compulsion in OCD can feel isolating and overwhelming, but understanding its roots and recognizing that you’re not alone is vital. By seeking help and employing effective coping strategies, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and reduce the compulsion to confess. Remember, recovery is a journey, and taking the first step toward understanding and addressing these challenges is a powerful move toward healing. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, don’t hesitate to reach out for support—there is hope, and help is available.
Treatment for Compulsive Confession
Compulsive confession can be treated in therapy just like all other compulsions. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP will target this compulsion specifically in the response prevention portion of treatment. By resisting the urge to confess thoughts and obsessions, you can teach your brain that your thoughts aren’t dangerous, and that you are able to let them pass on their own without confessing them.
As a licensed mental health therapist trained in ERP, I will assist you through the treatment and how to implement effective response prevention measures. If you feel that OCD has had a negative impact on your life or a loved ones, you might consider counseling and ERP to learn how to handle it more effectively. Please feel free to reach out for a free consultation, where we can discuss impacts of OCD and benefits of counseling/ERP.
