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I hugged my daughter. While hugging her, my chest brushed against hers. I didn’t repeat the movement, but I panicked right after and backed away. I felt a wave of fear, guilt, and shame. Then I started spiraling with thoughts like, “What if that was intentional?” or “What if I wanted it to happen just a little and didn’t think of the consequences in the moment?” I didn’t feel pleasure, but I felt completely consumed by guilt and anxiety afterward. I’m scared that maybe I had a slight intention or didn't stop fast enough, and now I can’t stop questioning what it meant or what it says about me. I’m trying to figure out if this was just OCD or something worse. I feel terrified and unsure, and I just want to be a good mom.

Lmk I’m curious

Hey, I really need your opinion – I think I might be struggling with Relationship OCD, and these thoughts are driving me crazy. I’ve been officially diagnosed with OCD, and I believe I also have ROCD. My obsessive thoughts often focus on one specific girl from my boyfriend’s past. She had messaged him a few times, and I think she liked him – but he never liked her back. He barely knew her, never found her attractive, and never wanted anything with her. She’s just a good friend of his best friend – not an ex or anything like that. He told me that he happened to be in the same group as her a couple of times – once at a birthday party and once at a fair – just because his best friend brought her along. He made it clear several times that she’s not his type at all, neither in looks nor in personality. He described her as someone who likes to go out and party a lot, and said that’s just not what he’s into. He also said he didn’t ask about her – these things were mentioned to him before our relationship. Almost all of this happened before we met – except for one thing: the fair. That was just one day before our second date, back when we had just started getting to know each other. She was with his friend group that night. He said he only said hi and bye to her, nothing more. The next day, when we met again, we were talking about his friends’ heights. He casually mentioned that his friend was the same height as that girl – 1.70 m. Ever since, I keep wondering: If she meant nothing to him, why did he even talk about her? Or did he actually talk to her that night, even though he said he didn’t? I know he said they barely exchanged a word, but somehow he still knew that detail. I just find that strange. Another example: He once said she was “kind of slutty.” Then, one or two months later, when I brought it up again, he said he didn’t know if she was or not, and that he didn’t care at all. That really confused me. I keep wondering: Why did he say something like that in the first place if he supposedly doesn’t care about her? I also notice this really frustrating cycle: When I talk to him about something that doesn’t make sense to me, I feel brief relief. But then, almost immediately, another thought or detail pops up that feels “off” again – and I feel like I have to bring that up, too. I can’t tolerate the uncertainty. It’s like an endless loop. These little “inconsistencies” – or what I perceive as inconsistencies – make me spiral, even though I do believe he’s being honest with me. I want to trust him. But I have this constant urge to bring up every little thing that doesn’t feel logically right. Every detail stays in my head for days, and it’s really hard not to talk about it. Does this sound like Relationship OCD to you? Do any of you go through this constant analyzing and doubt? I’d really appreciate your thoughts. I’m slowly ruining my own relationship.. Today, for the first time, my partner cried because of it .. I didn’t know how to deal with my thoughts, and seeing him like that made me realize that I really need to change something. Anything that doesn’t make sense to me feels unbearable. And as soon as I talk about one thing, the next thought comes into my head, something else that doesn’t make sense and leaves me feeling uncertain again. I honestly feel extremely helpless right now.. Just as a side note: I was officially diagnosed with ROCD in a previous relationship, not with my current partner, but in a past one.

i’ve told five friends, my sister, and my parents and they all say they don’t think i’m lesbian or into girls the way i’m scared of. but chat gpt says family and friends don’t know. i’ve been on meds for a few months now and the amount of thoughts and time they take up is less and how arousing the thoughts are are less but it’s still there and now feels enjoyable and like i prefer women emotionally and in my life and feel numb for men. but i have a bf and don’t miss him a lot but i enjoy sex with him and stuff. idk what to do anymore

I don't usually post on here because it could end up becoming a compulsion or could be seen as reassurance seeking but I think I just need a place to vent and to also get some encouragement and peer support. I am really struggling with my intrusive thoughts and feelings today. All of it feels extremely real and convincing. Right now, I feel thoroughly convinced that I have already identified as either a lesbian or bisexual. I have been diagnosed with OCD by both a psychiatrist and a psychologist years ago and I still feel convinced that it isn't OCD. I keep feeling as if I am just using OCD as a cover-up / as an excuse to deny my “actual” sexual orientation / to hide the “fact that I'm actually lesbian / bisexual”. I have been practicing ERP whenever my schedule allows but it's tough... ERP typically works for me but on days like today, it doesn't seem to be working and that makes me doubt if I have OCD or not. At the same time, I am also convinced that ERP isn't working and I am secretly in denial / struggle with comphet / have internalised homophobia (which makes it worse because my family is homophobic and most of my intrusive thoughts have been targeting that / using that as evidence). Feeling really scared and hopeless... 😞

Anyone who struggles with real event, rumination, and guilt. Please please please tell me your tips and tricks and maybe some words of encouragement.❤️

This is my first time posting on here, and it’s sorta a general question. I genuinely don’t know what to do with myself when my emotions take over from a thought. I know the basics of ERP work is to sit with your feelings, label it and let your thoughts pass, but even when I try to indulge in good distractions and avoid the thought, the feeling still lingers and I can’t help but vent to my partner about it. I can see it’s affecting him and our relationship. I’ve tried journaling, going out for a run, breathing exercises, labeling my thoughts and feelings, but I’m still left restless and unable to sleep because my frustrations and anxieties get too strong. I listened to a recent podcast on reassurance seeking, and she says that a study shows that venting has ZERO benefits. The host says she journals or records herself venting to avoid “bottling it up” and she acknowledges that others may also be going through their own things. I want to be able to ride the wave on my own and practice these tools in the process, but does anyone else have any advice that helps them? TLDR: My feelings get too strong and leaves me restless. I’m seeking advice on what other strategies I can use to cope with my emotions on my own, besides journaling, going for a run, breathing exercises and labeling my thoughts/feelings.

I see a lot of “general” advice on here from people who have conquered their OCD, and i dont often find that advice helpful. How do i identify compulsion when OCD is bad? Its a whirlwind. Nothing makes sense. I’m pretty sure i have something in addition to OCD but modern science is not good enough yet to let me know. At times like this I need medication. I am weening off Zoloft to try Clomipramine or maybe Vyvanse. I’ve been on Zoloft for 6+ years so decreasing is causing quite an uptick in symptoms. I feel very impulsive lately, i say and post things i dont mean to and it causes interpersonal issues and doesn’t represent who i really am. Is it impulsion or compulsion? I’ve asked this before and only got textbook answers, not personal anecdotes (what im looking for). What does ADHD and RSD feel like? I think i have both ADHD and OCD, even though scientific models show these having opposite activity in the same areas of the brain, leading one to wonder: how can someone have both conditions simultaneously? Science contradicts this but also acknowledges a large population of people who have comorbid OCD and ADHD.

Hello lovely community, I’m curious if anyone else has dealt with existential OCD, especially with a fear of life having no meaning. My biggest compulsion is doing something meaningful and checking if I feel different, like happy or elated or fulfilled, which usually leads me to feel the opposite. How do I prevent compulsions that are so automatic? Even if I’m just making jokes or hanging out with friends, I’ll automatically check how I’m feeling. I worry often that my OCD will get “worse” and become unmanageable. I’ll often check my emotions or thoughts or feelings to see how my OCD is in that moment, to see if its getting worse or better, which leads me to constantly be on high alert and very aware of my thoughts and feelings. I’ll also avoid doing things I love or overindulge to check my emotions. Any advice would be appreciated :)

Hi guys, im kind of spiraling right now because I read on reddit but also in articles that when women take the birth control pill for a long time and get off it they notice that 1) their taste in men changes and 2) their sexual orientation changes (that it was basically masked by the hormones and they are actually into girls). I'm super scared because I believe that SOOCD (or not) started for me at a young age (I remember watching a movie and they zoomed in on a women's legs and I felt something down there and got so scared). So when I started the pill I was about 16 years old and had already experienced SOOCD (if it really is that but I was also diagnosed by a psychologist). But this is when yous tart discovering yoruself. And then I met my now fiancé at 20 (I still had doubts about my sexuality) but I was/am happy with him. I am now trying to handle my SOOCD by saying no one is 100% anything and sexuality is so complex and can be fluid and that today i am choosing to love my bf and its been going ok (the thoughts are still here but without the anxiety so thats fine). I'm 27 now and I'm just scared that once I get off the pill I'll realise that it was never SOOCD, that I was never into guys and it was just the hormones and society and that I will leave my fiancé and ruin everything and would have lost all this time. The most horrible thing is that when I imagine it it feels real and it feels like I'll be happier with a women and I'll just be sad because im losing a friend and not the love of my life. Did it happen with someone here or do you have any advice?

Anyone else bite the skin on the inside of the cheeks or lips until they bleed? I do it all the time because of my anxiety and I recently learned about the triangle of “D” on your face and it freaks me out thinking I’m doing something.

Has anyone that’s had a severe episode just felt better like without meds or anything. I’m currently in a 3 month episode and just want to know I will get a break soon. I’m really scared of medication but I think that’s my only choice now

At work I was talking abt my nieces and how much I love them. I forgot what I said exactly (which is making me so upset rn) but I love my nieces a lot and I shared that w my coworkers. One of them was like a 18 year old boy and he said “weirdo” or something. My other coworker was a 24 year old girl and she said “what? how is that weird” and now I feel like a criminal like what if I’m a weirdo or something idk I talk about my nieces sometimes, I’m a really proud Auntie fr. But yeah I feel like throwing up

I’ve been prescribed this but I have never taken medication and I’m really scared of getting worse? Has anyone got a positive story for this? Thank you

is it possible to even have a relationship while i’m suffering with real event ocd and ocd in general. i’m just so scared they’ll find out everything bad i’ve done and leave me

In Harm OCD, do you feel uncertain about your values because your intrusive thoughts questioned them so much? Earlier, I felt horrified whenever these thoughts popped up because I knew they were against my values. But over the past few months, I’ve had so many intrusive thoughts that questioned why I should believe my values. And that questioned if it really matters if I believe my values. Now I’m not sure if it’s OCD anymore because when I think about what my values are I’m really confused and not sure anymore. And if I think whether I would act on my thoughts I’m not sure and I don’t have an answer and I don’t feel horrified. Has anyone experienced this? I’m really concerned that it’s getting worse

seriously someone pls give me advice 😭 I think last week I posted about how I have a crush on my friend and how my brain was making me question everything (mostly my sexuality). Well now I know he has a crush on me too and I’m already worrying about not liking him anymore, even though I was thinking about him all day before he confessed to me. I went to look at pictures to make sure I still think he’s attractive and I didn’t feel the same. Now I’m worrying about if I’ll no longer feel attracted to him when we hangout in person. Why can’t I at least have a simple crush? Why must I question everything??? WHY CANT MY BRAIN JUST FUNCTION NORMALLY THIS IS DRIVING ME INSANE!!?? If you have any tips on how to deal with this please let me know 😭.

What do I do if I pray really intense prayers when I’m going through a hard time and nothing changes still. I don’t wanna go to him just cuz I need help I try and talk to him all the time but this thing just keeps coming back and idk why if it’s out of my control or it’s cuz I’m lukewarm I just don’t know what to do. Does that mean I’m unsaved if I’ve been not treating him good or feel close

I’m a bit confused because whenever I hear the term neurodivergence I think that it means someone has a condition based in a variation of brain structure. Like autism, adhd, ocd, dyscalculia, dyslexia, tics, etc. (although I recognize sometimes it’s a hormonal thing and can go away over time). What I’m confused on though is whether other people with ocd resonate with a lot of the content on neurodivergence? Like through TikTok, YouTube, etc. I feel like it’s mainly targeted toward people with autism and adhd. But I also think maybe it is a common experience for people with ocd to have things like difficulty with social cues or sensory sensitivities and I just assume other people with ocd don’t have it because I don’t have it. Any thoughts?

I was recently prescribed Zoloft for my OCD and GAD. I was started on 12.5mg once a day. I’m really nervous and I’d love any good advice. I’m scared of gaining weight and becoming numb (what I’ve heard on tiktok). Is 12.5 or 25 mg enough for one to feel numb to emotions or crying?