Second Fear

For us living with contamination OCD, the subject of our contamination OCD evokes a strong feeling of fear. We call this the "first fear". Second fear is when we fear the feeling of fear itself. Second fear is fearing panic, fearing anxiety, and fearing the sensations that come along with those. You may have had second fear if you found yourself thinking; 'here it is again, I hate this feeling, I need to leave, quickly'. Or, perhaps you don't have anxiety now, but you are afraid you will when you leave the house. Second fear feeds itself and keeps first fear alive.

First fear is a part of life. Life has triggers, first fear is a natural response. For many people, they experience first fear and nothing more. However, you likely experience second fear, prolonged fear that builds and gets louder and adds more tension. Of course the initial response is to leave, to avoid. Avoidance feels like it solves the first fear, but it really reinforces the second, and the next time a first fear approaches the second fear is ready to pounce and make you feel that feeling you are dreading.

Sit in Second Fear

As you complete exposure exercises, you are not just sitting in the discomfort of triggering content, you are sitting in the discomfort of second fear. Let the second fear come and wash over you. Invite the fear, even. The more you are open to and accept second fear the less power it will have. Fear will come, the sensations will come, it will pass.