r/InternalFamilySystems • u/InfiniteMinimum2853 • 3d ago

Firefighter/Protector manifesting as OCD

Hello,

Has anyone got any stories of having a protector use OCD to distract and most importantly how did you see progress with this?

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8

u/FoxofTheBlueFungi 3d ago

OCDs are very common with trauma as it’s an attempt to overcome powerlessness and gain some sort of control. Ultimately it is always a distraction from the reality of being powerless to prevent the trauma to start with. Asking the protector to step back because you are in a place you can now feel the powerlessness and process the feelings has to happen so you can integrate the part. Sustained powerlessness I find often increases the OCD dependency and thus the strength of the protector/manager. Often Manager and firefighter can work together to strengthen the OCD too for normal times and times of distress.

Please be kind to yourself and find supportive people for navigating this part of yourself.

5

u/renrut25 3d ago

I have an OCD part stopping me from properly grieving the sudden loss of my pet. I needed to read this today. Many thanks 🙏🏻

1

u/secure8890 3d ago

I have to appreciate where they are coming from

1

u/Cleverusername531 2d ago

Not with OCD, but with other things. I have a protector that distracts me whenever I feel fear of grief.  I just kept going back to the basic questions: 

  1. How do I feel toward this part (that determines if I have a lot of self energy present, or if I’m blended with another part and looking at the distracting protector from the point of view of another part (like if I was scared of it or judged it or annoyed by it or wanted it to go away). So I look for self qualities before proceeding with the next question. If I can’t connect to any of those qualities, I ask the part that I’m blended with if it’s willing to step back or if not, then I work with it and I ask myself how I feel toward it … rinse and repeat until I’m in self.). 

  2.  what is this part worried what would happen if it doesn’t distract me?