Accepting Uncertainty

Jonathan Grayson, PhD, discusses "Accepting Uncertainty".

[henryzhao]

It’s about embracing the physical discomfort of uncertainty more than anything

[tabby_tab]

I’m dealing with philosophical/existential ocd (which is like the boss of the game for me) once again after 9 months of unknowingly trying to bring it back. The calmness in your voice while explaining my biggest fear managed to give me a sense of security. You said that everything you *feel* so sure that they’re %100 real could not be that way like you were singing a lullaby to a toddler. Thank you

[username]

Wow that was great and very well spoken thank you so much

[Melanie-lv]

I suffer from BDD ( body dysmorphic disorder) and have extreme social anxiety because of the uncertainty of my appearance. I have had many years of remission with Incredible therapy from Dr. Grayson but have been suffering for the past few years.

[sweaty_sadiq]

Remember that OCD is 1% Information and 99% Action

[batuhanbatuhan]

I have been sufferin ocd for i dont know many years. All the thoughts i went through and all it is is really sh*t. People do not get it. Therapists do not get it. This guy seems he has an idea what is going on with ocd and I laughed a resentful relieving laugh when he slapped the guy in the face with some possibilities he was too unbothered to give a thought about giving a think. It is not madness to question what is what. It is a comfort a god's gift to those people who live in certainity. Once it is gone you are in the darkness floating in space bumping into things you cant see and you are not even sure if you are bumping or not most of the time. Ocd is a little like death before dying. You lose yourself. You exist but everything is different. I remember being 16 and just doing things. Anything. Sitting at the garden of a cafe under big trees eating a panini with a peaceful mind. everything is what it is. You freely exist. Whethet yout reality is nice or sh*t you get to be. Even the dullest thoughts boringest of times was a bliss. Ocd is like god taking a gift away from you which you havent even known was there until it was taken. Regardless of all, I am not complaining. I wouldnt want to go back to that pre ocd existence. I am questioning now if I am passive agressively resenting god by saying that. The reason I wouldnt complain although undeniably i am suffering this ocd, is that existing as it is as shit as it is now is still a bliss. I was not aware of it before I had ocd now I know. You do not know how much you have to lose besides the things you think you have to lose. Ocd has stages I believe. In stage one I fought. I washed etc followed those thoughts. Stage two I wasnt able to follow up with the rules I made to control the universe. Stage three my inner voice went out of control and my intentions began conflicting my patience was pushed over the limits and I began doubting and questioning my intentions and while doing a daily task like eating or practicing ocd rituals my inner voice began attacking me saying exact opposite of what I would want and what I would want to avoid. At that point I wanted to not exist. Not death. Death I believe is not the end of existence. I wanted my existence to end. Because not only was I not able or willing to accept reality, that stance of mine was not even valid anymore. Even my objection got out of my hand. I couldnt even object. My objection took away my objection. So I realized in that stage one controlling the universe (the "irrational" actions you take with that intention), even doing that ( practices for avoiding or reaching results) is not possible. You can't even do that and exist up to it. You are not even the owner of your intentions fully. There is always things going on inside you, outside your control. So I saw Ocd in every way humbles you. I am pretty much left with hate and detest for certain people which life shows me I am wrong or at least unfair about my judgement about them. I am the culprit that I see clearer everyday and it makes me yield. Of course my disturbed mind insists on attacking me with threats and anger and fear but hell, whatever will be will be. I am not perfect have never been maybe I will end up in hell. If that is meant to be. It is very humbling. I do not matter I am too little to matter. As long as everything is pleasant and people I hate are not around me and on my mind. Otherwise I became irritated and ocd fires roar up. Maybe I can learn being indifferent to people and circumstances.


Just eat that sandwich sitting at that cafe and do not be a hypocrite, be, knowing you own nothing. You are only given things and better humbly be thankful. That is all there is.

[georgejohnson]

How do you accept the uncertainty of something like POCD? Where you’re bombarded with revolting thoughts that make you want to die

[aboutthisproduct]

Jesus man I just wont my healthcare back from Man go fight for nice places where we can get better.

[lisaklozenberg]

Why does he keep saying 'psycho '? People who worry, like me with my CPTSD, aren't psycho. I just have difficulty thinking positively after the traumas. The EMDR is pretty useless too. Regular exposure is the key.

[mohamedilyas]

Doctor, I am suffering from Anxiety and OCD from childhood. Now I am 40 years old. Does my anxiety and fear make me reassure or anxiety and fear comes from uncertainty?
As for me, whenever I feel anxious I avoid or reassure to make sure that I am safe and no bad out coming is going to happen
Do I have to focus on accepting uncertainty or focus on anxiety and fear?
Please help me, Doctor

[uk_picker]

But you know rationality and logically it is impossible for you to be dreaming up reality while youre actually in a mental asylum.. sure i can say, "yeah maybe, maybe not".. but just because you cannot disprove something doesnt mean its actually possible.. i think people get hung up on accepting uncertainty regarding certain subjects/themes and find it easier to accepting uncertainty around actual plausible possibilities

[funnylittlecreature]

But being uncertain that you're an awful person is unacceptable, right? Don't you have a responsibility to know??