Copy - 7: The Bubble Client Copy

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Module 8

The Bubble

The Bubble

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Module 8

The Monotropic Bubble

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Module 8

The Monotropic Bubble

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

BONUS

5&6

3.5

The Feared Self

The Monotropic Bubble

OCD is Imaginary

Bridging

Neurodivergent Stories

The Obsessional Story

The Logic of OCD

Doubt Sequence

Brittany Goff, LCSW

Let's Review

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

The Monotropic Bubble

Certainty exists, which is then followed by the doubt

MONOTROPISM

SABOTAGE SAFETY

DISSOCIATIVE

CERTAINTY

CROSSOVER POINT

Overview

Monotropic vs. Polytropic thinking style

Being in the bubble makes the fear more likely to occur

A dissociative state occurs when you disconnect from your immediate perception and instead immerses yourself in an internal, imaginary narrative that is not observable through the senses

The exact point where you disregard from your sensory experience in favor of an imaginary narrative

Monotropism is a theory of autism developed by autistic people, initially by Dinah Murray and Wenn Lawson.

Compliance-Based Education ModelDifficulty Multitasking Challenges with Transition Adaptability Issues Stress under Disruption Burnout Dependency on Routine Limited Career Options Compliance Issues Monotropic Split & Spiral

This is going to take months to explore

Deep FocusFlow StateEnhanced Memory in Areas of InterestExpertise DevelopmentSpecial InterestsReduced Distractions

Pros

Cons

It's a small lake; we can cover the entire area in an hour.

• Alignment with Educational Systems

• Flexibility in Focus

• Multitasking

Polytropic

Monotropic

Polytropic

Monotropic

What if somebody breaks in? I better take extra precautions

What are these people hiding?

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

When you leave reality in favor of an arbitrary narrative, you are putting yourself at an increased risk of that fear potentially happening.

The OCD Bubble Self-Sabotages

• Checking a door knob to see if it’s loose to the extent that the doorknob becomes loose.

• Washing hands repeatedly to safeguard against infection to the point where their hands are dry and bleeding, causing an infection.

• Repeatedly asking for reassurance from friends that they did not annoy or offend them to the point they annoy their friends.

• Somebody who stares at their locker, afraid of it getting robbed, and attracts a robber’s attention.

• Being so afraid of germs that you avoid cleaning only to allow your house to get dirty.

• Being fearful of getting sick so they spray Lysol on everything, making themselves sick.

• Avoiding public bathrooms due to fear of contamination/getting sick, only do hold your pee for so long you make yourself sick.

• Being so fearful that your partner is going to leave to the point you ask for so much reassurance they leave them.

• Overly concerned about your pet's safety to the point where you restrict its movements and activities, resulting in the pet developing health issues due to lack of exercise and stimulation.

The OCD Bubble Self Sabotages

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

It gets them into danger because reality is being ignoring from being absorbed in the Bubble

Dangerous

Unprepared

Heartless

Negligent

Irresponsible

Careless

Inconsiderate

Reckless

Distressing

Responsible

Necessary

Demanding

Leaving feels..

Paralyzing

Staying feels..

Suspenseful

Dangerous

Unprepared

Heartless

Negligent

Irresponsible

Distressing

Careless

Inconsiderate

Reckless

Responsible

Necessary

Demanding

Paralyzing

Leaving feels..

Staying feels..

Suspenseful

Asking the Professionals

What it feels like to be in the bubble & why it's so hard to break out of

Asking the Professionals

What it feels like to be in the bubble & why it's so hard to break out of

Jacob McDonald, LGPC

Jenna Stone, LMSW

Brittany Goff, LCSW-C

Catherine Goldhouse, LICS, LCSW

Why doesn't mom care about our environment?

I love saving the environment!

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Meanwhile i'm putting the lives of everyone on the road at risk because i'm leaving reality.

Leaving reality to entertain a story about putting my family at risk...

I better go back home, quick.

I couldn't live with myself knowing I put my family at risk.

The people I love would get hurt because of my lack of preparation.

What if a nuclear bomb goes off?

Leaving the house

Compulsion

Anxiety

Consequence

Doubt

Trigger

I better go back home, quick.

I couldn't live with myself knowing I put my family at risk.

The people I love would get hurt because of my lack of preparation.

What if a nuclear bomb goes off?

Leaving the house

Back to reality....

to perception

Let's switch from imagination.

Compulsion

Anxiety

Consequence

Doubt

Trigger

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Contamination OCD

Harm OCD

Scrupulosity OCD

Relationship OCD

Perfectionism OCD

Contamination OCD

Harm OCD

Scrupulosity OCD

Relationship OCD

Perfectionism OCD

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Cross over point

Compulsion

Anxiety

Consequence

Doubt

Trigger

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Cross over point

Doubt

Trigger

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

This is where reality is left behind

Doubt

Trigger

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Doubt

Trigger

The Cross-Over Point

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

There is a singular point in the sequence where you cross over from reality into the bubble Once you have recognized you've crossed over into your imagination, you are one step closer to resolving the doubt

Samantha is a new mom who constantly worries about her baby going to sleep. She sees that her baby appears tired, so she lies him down for a nap. Samantha holds the baby in her arms, rocking him until she can no longer hear him cry. She starts to wonder if she was rocking the baby too hard and that maybe the baby isn't actually asleep. Maybe she just rocked him so much he has brain damage and is unconscious. Mothers can accidentally shake their baby while trying to calm them. Shaken baby syndrome can occur in as little as 5 seconds. After all, she was feeling frusterated in that moment because she hadn't slept that night from the baby crying. Samantha wonders if she could have hurt her baby. She checks to see if the baby is breathing.

Woohoo!

These will make me sick

My chest hurts, so I've decided to go see a doctor. After the doctor runs some tests, I hear him tell me I have tuberculosis. He tells me that he is perscribing antibiotic treatment for 8 months. As i'm reading the side effetcs on the bottle, I feel my heart pounding in my chest. I read that some of the side effects for these antibiotics include becoming paralyzed, worsening of symptoms, and even death. I'ver heard stories about people having adverse reactions to antibiotics. I had an adverse reaction to a medication when I was younger. This makes me worried about the possibility of it happeming again. Last time I had an adverse reaction, I got really sick. If it happens again, I could be prone to getting really sick again. The doctor insist I take them for so long. What if I have an adverse reaction to it?

Did you hear she missed deadline again?

She really must not care

I need to re-do this or else my colleages will think i'm careless

I see the deadline approaching on my calendar for my work project. The last time I made a few slight errors, I was so embarrassed when my boss pointed them out in front of the entire team. This project is big, so everything needs to be done perfectly. I could make the same mistakes again. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to show my face in the office. People will think I’m incompetent and don’t know what I’m doing.

Project Panic

You've done it in the past..

IRRESPONSIBLE

BAD MOM

I should go back and check, I can't be negligent

Move, lady!

I find a parking spot while driving to the mall. I turn the key and shut off the car. I get out of the car, shut the door, and press the lock button on my key fob. I feel the click and hear the honking noise indicating that it's locked. But what if it isn't actually locked? Someone could get in and steal my car. My son's football gear is in the car, and he has a game tomorrow. I would feel like a terrible mother if my negligence impacted him.

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Imaginal Absorption

A lived in experience

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Living the Fear

OCD can create a very realistic simulation of reality that can cause real physical sensations as if they were genuine experiences.

Imaginal Absorption

A lived in experience

Mirror neurons are a distinctive class of neurons that activate when we observe someone else performing an action, allowing us to simulate and understand their behavior and emotions within our own brain. They play a crucial role in understanding and replicating the actions and emotions of others, forming the basis for empathy.

Häusser LF. Empathie und Spiegelneurone. Ein Blick auf die gegenwärtige neuropsychologische Empathieforschung [Empathy and mirror neurons. A view on contemporary neuropsychological empathy research]. Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr. 2012;61(5):322-35. German. doi: 10.13109/prkk.2012.61.5.322. PMID: 22957393.

Empathy and Social Understanding These neurons help us process facial expressions and body language, contributing to our ability to empathize with others. By mirroring the emotional states of others, we can understand and share their feelings. Impact on Human Interaction Mirror neurons are believed to be fundamental for social interactions and communication. They enable us to connect with others on an emotional level, fostering social bonds and enhancing cooperative behavior. Research and Theories The study of mirror neurons has led to various theories about their role in the development of human culture and language. Researchers suggest that these neurons are integral to learning through imitation and understanding complex social behaviors.

Mirror Neurons

Let's Test Your Mirror Neurons

Invitation to think deeply about one of your obsessions as much as possible for at least 30 seconds.

How do we get out?

The therapist will call your attention back after the 30 seconds is done

By consciously shifting the focus of your attention, you can detach yourself from the grip of the Bubble and bring yourself back to the here and now.

Compulsions take effort, but leaving the Bubble just requires a gentle shift in attention.

You came back by using your senses.

Adapted by Brittany Goff from: O'Connor, K., & Aardema, F. (2012). Clinician's handbook for obsessive compulsive disorder: Inference-based therapy. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

ACHOO

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

Think about the last dream you had.

OTHER ABSORBING ACTIVITIES

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Curriculum

Read more

As you are going about various daily activities, invite yourself to focus your attention on tasks that might evoke a stronger sensation within the body and to notice how your body feels.

Let's explore what sensory-seeking behaviors you have We will also explore what sensory avoidant behaviors they have and adjust enviornment as needed

INTEROCEPTIVE EXERCISES

Tips if you are really stuck..

Reality Sensing

Next up,

Ableism

BURNOUT

monotropism

Social Norms

Back to reality

Into the bubble

Expectations (family, society, school/ork)

Lack of external resources/ support/ services

Can't take a break

Gaslighting/ dismissal

Poor boundaries/ poor self-advocacy

Life-change stress (transitions, mental health crises, etc.)

Masking

Disability management

Barriers to support

Life stressors

Expectations outweigh abilities

Inability to obtain relief

Cumulative load

BURNOUT

Raymaker DM, Teo AR, Steckler NA, Lentz B, Scharer M, Delos Santos A, Kapp SK, Hunter M, Joyce A, Nicolaidis C. "Having All of Your Internal Resources Exhausted Beyond Measure and Being Left with No Clean-Up Crew": Defining Autistic Burnout. Autism Adulthood. 2020 Jun 1;2(2):132-143. doi: 10.1089/aut.2019.0079. Epub 2020 Jun 10. PMID: 32851204; PMCID: PMC7313636.

Gray-Hammond, D., & Adkin, T. (2023) Creating Autistic Suffering: The AuDHD Burnout to Psychosis Cycle- A deeper look. https://emergentdivergence.com/2023/06/05/creating-autistic-suffering-the-audhd-burnout-to-psychosis-cycle-a-deeper-look/

Attentional Overload: Monotropic individuals often invest deep attention into fewer focus areas. When required to split this attention to conform to the diverse and simultaneous demands typical of polytropic settings, it can lead to cognitive overload and emotional distress. Trauma from Prolonged Stress: Persistent exposure to these conditions can traumatize the processing capabilities of a monotropic mind, severely impacting well-being and functioning. Consequences: This forced division of focus can result in masking, meltdowns, shutdowns, identity issues, and burnout. Meerkat Mode: A state of heightened alertness and sensitivity to the environment. This mode is often a response to feeling unsafe or uncertain in a given situation, prompting an instinctive reaction similar to how meerkats stand upright and survey their surroundings for threats.

When a person with a monotropic attention style is forced to adapt to a polytropic system, this strain emerges. Monotropic individuals, who naturally focus intensely on a limited number of stimuli, must attempt to distribute their attention across multiple streams to meet the demands of a non-monotropic environment.

Monotropic Split

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• Constantly doubting relationships based on a past betrayal.
• Avoiding cats due to being scratched by one years ago.
• Never using public transportation again after getting lost.

Personal Experience

Consectetur adipiscing elit

An individual's reliance on their own past events and observations as evidence to support obsessional doubt

• Refusing to drive after experiencing a minor car accident

• Washing hands excessively due to a past illness caused by germs.

• Checking the stove repeatedly due to once leaving it on accidentally.
• Avoiding gardening after encountering a snake

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• The fear of germs can be so overwhelming that you avoid cleaning, leading to a house that's not just messy, but potentially a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

• Being fearful of getting sick and consequently spraying Lysol on everything, which ironically can make you sick.

• The idea of consuming excessive amounts of vitamins to prevent illness may seem like a good strategy, but it can actually lead to vitamin toxicity, a condition that can be harmful to your health.

• Stockpiling medications and medical supplies, which can lead to the use of expired or unnecessary medications.

• Skipping necessary medical procedures like dental cleanings or surgeries out of fear of contamination can lead to worse health outcomes.

• Overusing strong cleaning agents to disinfect surfaces can cause respiratory issues or chemical sensitivities.

• Overusing hand sanitizer leads to dry, cracked skin, which is more susceptible to bacterial entry and infection.

• Avoiding bathrooms due to a fear of contamination, which can cause one to hold urine for too long, potentially leading to a urinary tract infection (UTI).

• Limiting children's play to "clean" environments, potentially affecting their immune system development and social skills.

• Skipping doctor visits to avoid germs in medical settings can result in worsening untreated health conditions.

• Engaging in extreme dietary restrictions to avoid contaminants or unhealthy foods, often leading to nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders.

Ain't nobody getting sick in this house!

Pls stop.

What if I don't water her enough and she dies?

• Frequently testing smoke detectors to prevent negligence in fire safety, but causing the batteries to drain faster and potentially fail when needed.

• Constantly checking your rear view mirror to see if you've hit a pedestrian, not paying attention to the road making the chances of hitting somebody more likely.

• Over-watering plants to ensure they are not neglected, but leading to root rot or other water-related issues.

• Driving overly cautiously to the point of hesitancy, which can confuse other drivers and potentially cause traffic accidents.

• Avoiding holding infants due to fear of accidentally dropping or harming them, which can affect bonding with the baby.

• Overcooking food to avoid poisoning, which could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues from overconsumption of carcinogenic charred food.

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• What do your fingers feel like?

• What does your palm feel like?

• What do your muscles feel like?

Squeeze your hand for 30 seconds

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

• Requiring frequent texts or calls to feel secure, potentially leading to exhaustion or annoyance in the partner.

• Fixating on a partner’s past relationships, creating insecurity and unnecessary tension.

• Constantly questioning the decision to be in the relationship, preventing total commitment to and enjoyment of the partnership.

• Frequently pressing for detailed plans about the future to alleviate uncertainty, which can pressure and overwhelm the partner.

• Experiencing intense jealousy without basis can push the partner away due to undue strain and accusations.

• Continuously looking for flaws in the partner to 'prove' they're not suitable, preventing a deeper emotional connection.

• Repeatedly asking a partner to confirm their love and commitment, which can lead to frustration and doubt about the relationship's authenticity.

• Scrutinizing every comment or action for hidden meanings, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.

• Avoiding topics due to fear of conflict, which can prevent the resolution of underlying issues and erode trust over time.

• Comparing the relationship to others' or to an ideal standard can diminish appreciation for the unique aspects of one's own relationship.

• Forcing yourself to maintain eye contact to avoid making the other person uncomfortable can result in awkward social interactions.

These types of behaviors intended to protect or stabilize relationships often backfire, fostering resentment, reducing intimacy, and undermining trust.

Pls stop.

What if I don't water her enough and she dies?

• Frequently testing smoke detectors to prevent fire safety negligence, but causing the batteries to drain faster and potentially fail when needed.

• Constantly checking the rearview mirror to see if you've hit a pedestrian, which distracts from paying attention to the road and increases the chances of an accident.

• Over-watering plants to ensure they are not neglected, leading to root rot or other water-related issues.

• Driving overly cautiously to the point of hesitancy can confuse other drivers and potentially cause traffic accidents.

• Avoiding holding infants due to fear of accidentally dropping or harming them, which can affect bonding with the baby.

• Overcooking food to avoid poisoning, which could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues from overconsumption of carcinogenic charred food.

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• Being so afraid of germs that you avoid cleaning only to allow your house to get dirty

• Being fearful of getting sick so they spray Lysol on everything, making themselves sick

• Consuming excessive amounts of vitamins in an attempt to prevent illness, potentially leading to vitamin toxicity

• Stockpiling medications and medical supplies, potentially leading to using expired or unnecessary medications.

• Skipping necessary medical procedures like dental cleanings or surgeries out of fear of contamination, which can lead to worse health outcomes.

• Overusing strong cleaning agents to disinfect surfaces, which can cause respiratory issues or chemical sensitivities.

• Overusing hand sanitizer, leading to dry, cracked skin, which is more susceptible to bacterial entry and infection.

• Fear of contamination of getting sick only to avoid that bathroom and hold your pee in for so long, causing yourself to develop a UTI.

• Limiting children’s play to "clean" environments, potentially affecting their immune system development and social skills

• Skipping doctor visits to avoid germs in medical settings, which can lead to untreated health conditions worsening.

• Engaging in extreme dietary restrictions to avoid contaminants or unhealthy foods, often leading to nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders.

Ain't nobody getting sick in this house!

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

Jacob McDonald

Licensed Graduate Counselor

“When I enter into the Bubble, it is as if I am surrounded by an invisible barrier that isolates me from the present moment and the external world. My focus becomes fixated on my OCD story, which typically involves intrusive thoughts, distressing images, or repetitive behaviors. As I become entangled in this narrative, my entire body and mind are consumed by the experience, leading to an overwhelming sense of tension, fear, and discomfort.”

OCD Therapist at Zen Psychological Center

How to be a perfect parent

Being brutally honest in all situations, regardless of the social consequences, which can damage relationships and social standing. Trying to always keep the peace by adhering strictly to all rules and regulations, regardless of context or practicality, leads to conflict and inefficiency. "Googling" how to be a perfect parent diverts attention away from being present with your child.

Being brutally honest in all situations, regardless of the social consequences, which can damage relationships and social standing. Trying to always keep the peace by adhering strictly to all rules and regulations, regardless of context or practicality, leading to conflict and inefficiency. Googling how to be a perfect parent, which takes for attention away way from being with your child.

Frequently confessing perceived wrongs or sins, even those that are trivial, leading to anxiety and a strained relationship with religious or moral authorities. Hoarding broken appliances to save the enviornment, when really hoarding is wastful and not good for the environment

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

These behaviors, intended to protect or stabilize the relationship, often backfire by fostering resentment, reducing intimacy, and undermining trust.

• Requiring frequent texts or calls to feel secure, potentially leading to exhaustion or annoyance in the partner.

• Fixating on a partner’s past relationships, which can create insecurity and unnecessary tension.

• Constantly questioning the decision to be in the relationship, which can prevent fully committing to and enjoying the partnership.

• Frequently pressing for detailed plans about the future to alleviate uncertainty, which can pressure and overwhelm the partner.

• Experiencing intense jealousy without basis, which can push the partner away due to the undue strain and accusations.

• Continuously looking for flaws in the partner to 'prove' they're not suitable, which can prevent a deeper emotional connection.

• Repeatedly asking a partner to confirm their love and commitment, which can lead to frustration and doubt about the relationship's authenticity.

• Scrutinizing every comment or action for hidden meanings, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts.

• Avoiding topics for fear of conflict, which can prevent the resolution of underlying issues, eroding trust over time.

• Comparing the relationship to others' or to an ideal standard, which can diminish appreciation for unique aspects of one's own relationship.

• Forcing yourself to make eye ontact to avoid making the other person uncomfortable, resulting in an awkward social interaction.

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

Facts

Things that are objectively true.

• People get sick
• Natural disasters happen
• Cars are among the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide
• Ticks carry diseases
• People get hacked
• Pesticides are used in many agricultural products

• Procrastinating on beginning tasks due to fear of not doing them perfectly, which can lead to last-minute stress and poorer quality outcomes.

• Taking on too many tasks to meet high standards in all areas, which can lead to stress, fatigue, and decreased performance.

• Avoiding new activities or learning new skills for fear of initial failure, limiting personal growth and opportunities.

• Setting too many reminders or alarms, which becomes confusing and counterproductive, leading to missed tasks.

These behaviors, though aimed at achieving flawlessness, often produce the opposite effect, inhibiting productivity, creativity, and satisfaction.

• Constantly re-reading and editing work to avoid any mistakes, only to miss your deadline

• Delaying the completion of tasks due to fear they aren’t perfect, which can lead to missed opportunities or perceived unreliability.

• Repeatedly redoing tasks to achieve perfection, only to cause a mistake in your work.

• Avoiding delegating tasks due to mistrust in others' ability to meet high standards, resulting in overwhelming workloads and decreased productivity.

BRITTANY GOFF, LCSW-C

If I leave the bubble, I won't be prepared. Instead of mentally scripting conversations, it's like i'm mentally scrupting for my biggest fear. If I leave, it's like i'm allowing myself to be unprepared for it to happen. Instead of a monotropic flow, it becomes a monotropic nightmare that feels so real that you mistake it for reality. Just like a monotropic flow, we ignore the world around us and can only focus on that one very topic.

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

• Constantly doubting relationships based on a past betrayal.
• Avoiding cats due to being scratched by one years ago.
• Never using public transportation again after getting lost.

Personal Experience

Consectetur adipiscing elit

An individual's reliance on their own past events and observations as evidence to support obsessional doubt

• Refusing to drive after experiencing a minor car accident

• Washing hands excessively due to a past illness caused by germs.

• Checking the stove repeatedly due to once leaving it on accidentally.
• Avoiding gardening after encountering a snake

The Interoception Curriculum by Kelly Mahler lays out a step-by-step approach to develop autonomous self-regulation. This method involves training an individual first to recognize bodily signals, then to associate these signals with their emotions, and finally, to decide on steps to enhance bodily comfort.

• Interoceptive- Focused Yoga
• Interoceptive-Focused Exercise
• Interception-Focused Daily Activities
• Interoception-Focused Play

• Constantly doubting relationships based on a past betrayal.
• Avoiding cats due to being scratched by one years ago.
• Never using public transportation again after getting lost.

Personal Experience

Consectetur adipiscing elit

An individual's reliance on their own past events and observations as evidence to support obsessional doubt

• Refusing to drive after experiencing a minor car accident

• Washing hands excessively due to a past illness caused by germs.

• Checking the stove repeatedly due to once leaving it on accidentally.
• Avoiding gardening after encountering a snake

• Constantly doubting relationships based on a past betrayal.
• Avoiding cats due to being scratched by one years ago.
• Never using public transportation again after getting lost.

Personal Experience

Consectetur adipiscing elit

An individual's reliance on their own past events and observations as evidence to support obsessional doubt

• Refusing to drive after experiencing a minor car accident

• Washing hands excessively due to a past illness caused by germs.

• Checking the stove repeatedly due to once leaving it on accidentally.
• Avoiding gardening after encountering a snake

• Constantly doubting relationships based on a past betrayal.
• Avoiding cats due to being scratched by one years ago.
• Never using public transportation again after getting lost.

Personal Experience

Consectetur adipiscing elit

An individual's reliance on their own past events and observations as evidence to support obsessional doubt

• Refusing to drive after experiencing a minor car accident

• Washing hands excessively due to a past illness caused by germs.

• Checking the stove repeatedly due to once leaving it on accidentally.
• Avoiding gardening after encountering a snake

Jenna Stone

Licensed Master of Social Work

“When I’m in the bubble, I’ve already convinced myself that this terrible thing that I imagined could happen IS actually going to happen. It feels like it’s all my fault and I can’t deal with that level of guilt and anxiety."

Eating Disorder & OCD therapist at Zen Psychological Center

Kelly Mahler's Interoceptive Curriculum

Take a sip of water

• What does it feel like on your lips?
• What does it feel like on your tongue?
• What about your hands?
• Or your throat?
• What does it feel like to your stomach?

How to be a perfect parent

Being brutally honest in all situations, regardless of the social consequences, which can damage relationships and social standing. Trying to always keep the peace by adhering strictly to all rules and regulations, regardless of context or practicality, leading to conflict and inefficiency. Googling how to be a perfect parent, which takes for attention away way from being with your child.

Frequently confessing perceived wrongs or sins, even those that are trivial, leading to anxiety and a strained relationship with religious or moral authorities. Hoarding broken appliances to save the enviornment, when really hoarding is wastful and not good for the environment

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example:

• Constantly doubting relationships based on a past betrayal.
• Avoiding cats due to being scratched by one years ago.
• Never using public transportation again after getting lost.

Personal Experience

Consectetur adipiscing elit

An individual's reliance on their own past events and observations as evidence to support obsessional doubt

• Refusing to drive after experiencing a minor car accident

• Washing hands excessively due to a past illness caused by germs.

• Checking the stove repeatedly due to once leaving it on accidentally.
• Avoiding gardening after encountering a snake

Gray-Hammond, D., & Adkin, T. (2023) Creating Autistic Suffering: The AuDHD Burnout to Psychosis Cycle- A deeper look. https://emergentdivergence.com/2023/06/05/creating-autistic-suffering-the-audhd-burnout-to-psychosis-cycle-a-deeper-look/

Atypical burnout may manifest as a persistently hyper-aroused state, which Tanya affectionately refers to as "meerkat mode." She characterizes this state by a meerkat-like anxiety, with individuals always on alert for potential threats, struggling with focus and self-regulation. This often necessitates continuous co-regulation with another person and can lead to a pronounced fear of solitude. Such behaviors are frequently misunderstood as an attachment disorder, due to the individual's apparent excessive reliance on a parent or another trusted figure. This response is commonly observed in children and adolescents who have endured prolonged traumatic experiences, particularly within educational settings.

This state is not unique to autistic individuals but can be particularly common among them due to the challenges they often face with sensory processing and social communication. In neurodivergent terms, Meerkat Mode serves as a coping and defense mechanism, allowing the person to manage interactions and environments they perceive as challenging or threatening.

• Hypervigilance
• Seeking a monotropic flow-state (Hyperfocus)
• Increased Sensory Dysregulation
• May be unable to stop or rest

Characteristics of Meerkat Mode

Increased Vigilance: An intense alertness and heightened arousal experienced. This state is characterized by a continuous scan for potential threats and dangers. More than just hyper-arousal, Tanya suggests it represents an overwhelmed monotropic individual's urgent search for an entry point into a monotropic flow-state. This behavior isn't solely due to sensory hyper-arousal; it reflects the innate drive of monotropic minds to find a deeply engaging flow-state that facilitates recovery from burnout or a monotropic split. The challenge, however, is that the intense sensory arousal and accompanying adrenal response make it challenging to achieve this desired flow-state, potentially leading to a monotropic spiral.

• Delaying the start of tasks due to a fear of not performing them perfectly can lead to increased stress and lower quality outcomes when completed at the last minute.

• Attempting to meet high standards in all areas by taking on too many tasks can lead to stress, fatigue, and decreased performance.

• Avoiding new activities or learning new skills due to fear of initial failure, which limits personal growth and opportunities.

• Setting excessive reminders or alarms can become confusing and counterproductive, resulting in missed tasks.

• Constantly rereading and editing work to avoid any mistakes, only to miss your deadline.

• Procrastinating on task completion due to a fear of imperfection, leading to missed opportunities and a perception of unreliability.

• Repeatedly redoing tasks to achieve perfection, only to cause mistakes in your work.

• Avoid delegating tasks due to mistrust in others' ability to meet high standards, resulting in overwhelming workloads and decreased productivity.

These behaviors, although aimed at achieving flawlessness, often have the opposite effect, inhibiting productivity, creativity, and satisfaction.

Catherine Goldhouse

LICSW, LCSW

“Being in the bubble felt like I was in a perpetual dance with a persuasive, smooth-talking salesman who was highly skilled in swaying me towards his narrative. He expertly used all the manipulative tricks - tugging at my emotions, creating urgency, and making irresistible promises - to convince me to buy into his reality. This constant persuasion led to an internal chaos and anxiety that seemed never-ending.

• It's against the law to assault somebody
• Were supposed to go to the doctors

• Were supposed to ash our hands for 30 seconds
• Were supposed to lock our doors at night
• Were not supposed to cheat if were in a monogomous relationship

• Social Norms
• Rules
• Expectations
• Laws
• Cultural/religious

Rules

Guidelines that people follow. This can be:

For Example: