Community Discussion: Compulsive thinking and Behaviour [NOTES]
Discussion took place in Listener Community Room on Saturday, March 28th. It was lead by @Shabo.
What is a "compulsion" in your own words?
Compulsion is having the urge to do something without being able to resist or stop even when we may know that it is irrational. Usually there is the sense of lack of control, because even though it is something that we want to stop doing, usually because of negative effects and consequences, we are not able to, and we feel trapped in that behaviour. If it is impairing our ability to function it could be a compulsion.
What emotions do you all believe tie in with compulsive behaviour?
Anxiety, panic, unease, guilt, shame, embarrassment, addiction, anxiety, repression, escapism, fear, Frustration, feeling out of control, avoidance?
What compulsive behaviours do you know about?
Gambling, drinking, smoking, nail-biting, trichotillomania (hair pulling), compulsive lying, pica (eating sand, paper, clay?), doing drugs, emotional eating, dermatillomania (skin picking), cleaning, obsessive research, self-harm, working out, hoarding, checking on an infant?
Any behaviour can be considered compulsive, and behaviours that are not considered negative by themselves can also be compulsive if that behavior can be considered unhealthy.
Do you know what OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is and how it is similar or different from other compulsions?
OCD is an anxiety disorder that is rooted in anxiety and a need for control. Compulsion can sometimes go unnoticed while people who have OCD can struggle every day and have trouble functioning.
What compulsive behaviors have you run into on here?
Trichotillomania, eating disorders that are related to OCD, checking social media, jealous behavior?
When encountered with these, what did you do to assist and support the member/ guest?
Using REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy) skills ? unwrapping cognitive distortions , asking about trust in relationship, asking about goals and helping them take small steps to achieve them, talking about their feelings and getting to root of anxiety, focusing on copings skills, offering resources,
How can we direct people who consider their mindsets or actions negative, to a more positive outlook?
It is important to establish relationship rapport and trust and to show empathy. We can try to help them understand what purpose those compulsions have served and whether they have helped them get through a tough period by helping them cope. We should help them understand that it is not their fault and that it can be addressed in time and replaced with better coping skills. It is a good idea to ask them if they have specific goal and see how we can achieve it. Avoiding platitudes and saying things like ?everything is okay? because compulsions can have negative consequences. Acknowledging and validating feelings. Reframing by learning to look at things in different ways, by acknowledging possibilities and giving a different perspective.
What resources do we have on 7 cups or elsewhere that can be helpful in supporting those trapped in complsive thoughts or behaviors?
www.lifeinneon.com/games/Player2.html
selfharmresources.wix.com/selfharmresources
1-800-DON?T-CUT is a USA hotline
1-800-273-TALK is a crisis hotline for self-harm/emergency situations
How does our help change if the issue is detrimental physically or mentally?
We should make sure that they are not in immediate danger so that we can actually help them. There are crisis helplines that can be used if they need immediate help. If they are not in immediate danger we can support them in a similar way like we support self-harm. Our urging them to stop is not always helpful. We can listen and be supportive. Most compulsions are only bad in the long run so we should be calm and help them find the resources that can help them. So we should try to help them reduce injury and encourage them to change maladaptive coping techniques with some healthier ones.
Some related links:
https://sirius-project.org/2011/08/16/distractions-and-alternatives-to-self-harm/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/obssessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd.htm
Related Forum threads:
Thank you everyone who joined and participated (if I managed to forget to tag someone, tag them below)!
@VYCanisMajorisL @Randy_ @Iara @Erynn @Carb @Claire81 @MizMickey @Lissymay @wonderfulPumpkin71 @HiddenGrace @braveBeauty33 @JennaHere @TrustyEmily @WeedyGarden @confidentButterfly67 @Belle2 @ooooohhhhhhhey @QuickJazz
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Great write up, thanks @Maku :)
thanks from those who couldn't attend!
