Hey everyone, my name is Stephen Smith and I’m the Founder and CEO of NOCD. I also have OCD, which is why I founded the platform. Specifically, I have “intrusive thoughts OCD”- relationship-based, sexual, and religious thoughts that made me at one point question many fundamental elements of my character. Although google searching for answers to my thoughts was my most noticeable compulsion, my compulsions were mainly mental, where I would reassure myself, mentally review past events, pray, and even check my body for different sensations. Since I didn’t suffer with the “standard symptoms”, I ended up getting misdiagnosed 5 times which caused me to get really severe, drop out of school, and become housebound. While housebound, I started searching my thoughts online which led me to realize that I had OCD. Then, when searching for evidence-based OCD treatment, I stumbled upon exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. Although ERP is extremely effective (about 80% of people with OCD see a significant reduction in symptoms after going through treatment), there was only one therapist in my area who specialized in it. She had a 7 month wait list and charged $250 per session- making the care pretty much inaccessible for me. I got lucky though since my mom, who was desperate at the time to see me get better, found money from a family friend to pay for my treatment. She also called the clinician and begged her to get me off the waitlist. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be here today. After doing ERP with the provider for 12 weeks, I ended up getting better- so much to the point where I was able to go back to school, finish up my football career (I was a college quarterback) and eventually complete my degree. Because I managed the OCD fears by accepting the uncertainty behind them (a core principle behind response prevention), the anxiety over time went away, and the thoughts decreased in frequency as well as in severity (since they didn’t really matter to me anymore). After that happened, I ended up returning back to normal pretty much- feeling as good as I did before my severe OCD onset. That’s when I started pondering the question, “if OCD is so treatable with a good ERP therapist, then why isn’t treatment more accessible to people going through the condition?” It’s a question I’m sure many of you are currently asking or have asked before. Now to the good news....There is no more need to ask that question. Now inside of NOCD, you can do live, face-to-face therapy sessions with a licensed therapist who specializes in treating OCD using exposure and response prevention (ERP). After signing up, all you need to do is open up your phone or laptop and start the session with the ERP therapist. It’s all video-conferencing. It’s the solution that I always wanted when I was going through treatment, so I hope you can find value in it if you are suffering- especially those who are stuck on the waitlist or who live hours from care. Anyways- if you have questions about doing ERP therapy with a NOCD telehealth provider or with another therapist feel free to ask them here. I will definitely give you the pros and cons. Much love!

I don’t have a therapist- but is it normal to try and do ERP on your own and feel like your’e rejecting your true self?

My son has just finished 2 months ERP therapy and it was the best thing we ever did. Trust the process. Trust the therapist. Trust it takes time 🙏

I have a 7 year old who is being controlled by his ocd. It creates anxiety fear depression frustration aggression and self loathing. Can you help?

Can OCD convince you that you are a horrible dangerous evil person?

I really appreciate you forming this platform, as a woman who has suffered from severe OCD and intrusive thoughts since I was a little girl I find it so helpful to know that there are people like you out there wanting to make a difference

Just found this app. So inspiring at I'm grateful for your willingness to step forward and help us all with something that is truly so difficult.

My Daughter is 15 and hasn’t had a good meal in 3 days. I have her on this app. Trying to find a way to eat. It is like she is possessed. She wants to eat. She will take a couple bites and then she starts shaking and crying. She is unable to even put the fork to her mouth. We signed up here in desperation. She has had two Therapists so far and no change. They haven’t even mentioned ERP. We have an appointment tomorrow morning at 10:30 with your therapist. I am hoping this is the answer.

Hey I'm new and still really nervous because I fear this is a scam and my insurance won't cover it like my last OCD specialist I saw. I owe them 2 grand and won't be able to afford paying them back because OCD has made me legally disabled and I only live off of disability income but I'm hopeful this is the real deal and will save my life. I hope. America is awful when it comes to saving lives. It's been so hard to find someone that takes Medicaid and Medicare. You have to be rich to survive in America but Im poor and have survived my suicide attempts so maybe that's not true anymore. #hopeful

Thanks Stepthen for creating this app. You are surely bring positive change in the world. More power to you.💪

OCD is unbearable!

I added a bit in the app but what I didn’t is I tend to over think anything and everything to the point really driving myself. I can’t even think straight anymore. My memory is getting terrible. The worse thing about it all is I passed all this on to 2 of my 3 sons. They’re grown now , it’s worse for my younger son. He’s in and out of trouble due to self medicating. What goes on in his mind sounds like he’s describing me. Life is debilitating. Social anxiety is AWFUL. I don’t go anywhere. My step sisters are constantly trying to get me to go places. Eventually they’ll stop asking. HELP. I’m a strong person getting weaker

They take some insurances. If you want to find out if they take your’s, you can look at this: https://www.treatmyocd.com/insurance

Stephen, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your platform and available treatments (particularly partnership with Cigna) enabled my daughter to reduce her symptoms in less than a year. She’s improved enough to work, move out on her own, travel and live a normal life!! She continues to have therapy through NOCD. Thank you for this platform and the services it provides. My daughter would not be.where she is without it.

I have the same things. I’m signed up for my first session on Wednesday. I am very relieved to find that others have the same intrusive thoughts and fears! It’s been 6 months since this started happening to me and I’ve been so scared and wondering if I was going crazy

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for NOCD and for the support groups! I have had OCD pretty much my whole life and these support groups are amazing. Thank you 🙏🏼 thank you 😊 thank you !!

Hi, It’s been a while since I shared anything. There was a fire 50 feet from the house that we live in. We saved two dogs but two others did not make it, they died from smoke inhalation. We have had a lot of issues and ended up being evicted from the property by the woman whose dogs we risked our lives to save. Now I’m looking for an apartment. I know for certain that the move will be good for my family. I have been hit hard by my pure-o. Even thou, I have chosen to embrace and share my experience on this forum, I have suffered recently. One thing I know is that opening up always helps. I have always seen things get better when I talk, so here it goes: I am in the logistics business. I arrange transportation of commodities to and from anywhere in the world. I take pride in making things run smoothly. I recently took on a project where we pick up loads from a certain country and import to the USA. The entire process is carried out without ever passing though the city that I live in. Basically, we load at the place of origin, arrange transport to the border crossing point, it’s 1000 miles away from where I live, we import into the USA and finally arrange freight from the border to the city of final destination in the USA. It’s fun. It can be stressful, but I enjoy what I do. The problem is that OCD (Pure-O in my case) is always on the prowl, looking for ways to tangle everything up and make me suffer. My nagging OCD brain says “Repeat the whole process in your head. How can you be coordinating these shipments without ever passing through the city that you live in?” It’s not like I’ve never handled shipments like this before. My OCD brain just picked this project to nagg me. It feels like it’s driving me crazy. I feel like my productivity is impaired. I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning and when I do, I have to carry out endless mental rituals that lead to nowhere and only make my anxiety worse. I choose the temporary anxiety of not giving in to the urge. I want to put an end to the spiral. I pray that opening up helps. I know it will, I just need to open my heart and my soul and I will feel better. We all will if we just talk about our experiences. There is hope for all of us. Blessings to all! Thank you for reading this!

OCD has made my life so much harder, sometimes it feels unbearable…

I haven’t been diagnosed with OCD but how do I get see if I have it?

Please help me I am at the end of my rope and I also suffer from tardive dyskinesia.

Can you get therapy from NOCD if u are in Ireland. I don’t have insurance and not much money - I could afford 70 euro a week - I’m not sure if there’s payment plans. Previously it was just the UK that could access this therapy on this side of the Atlantic? Anybody know? Thanks in advance. 💜

Wish it was free lol

I am a mum of a daughter with OCD and I’m at my wit’s end trying to help her. I don’t know what to do anymore. She is such a beautiful, fragile daughter and it breaks my heart to see her like this.

I am 56 years old, almost 57. I suffer from Pure-O. Our dissorder is more internal. We don’t have that many exterior compulsions; nevertheless, our brains can make life a living hell if we let them. Personally, I have felt incapacitated on many occasions. I want to live each day of my life to its fullest. I guess dealing with my Pure-O is a way of dealing with my life. I should make the best of it, since it is what was handed to me. What I talk about my tormenting thoughts, I find relief. I literally feel pressure being released from my body. Right now, I am dealing with a geographical obsessions that have to do with shipments that I coordinate that never touch my home town (I am a logistics provider). I know it wouldn’t make sense to anyone, but it torments me. I handle everything a thousand miles away. My brain tells me that I have to be where the goods are, but reality has proven other wise. I love my work and feel enormous pride in being able to coordinate things like that. I know that even if this does not make sense to anyone, it will help me fund relief. Let’s talk about our thoughts. We can talk or we can write about them. That is the beauty of technology and forums such as this one. I am encouraged to work with a licensed OCD therapist in this site.

I feel like each day is an opportunity to get better. The more we know the more empowered we become. I have a long way to go in my recovery. I do know that when I release my pain through written or spoken words, I literally feel energy leaving my body. It feels like going to confession or even when we were little and had done something wrong and finally built up the courage to confess to our parents. At times I have felt overwhelmed. I have gone down a spiral of ruminating thoughts. It can be frustrating because you wonder how many precious minutes are going to waste. It’s part of the condition. I no longer question “Why Me?” I now ask “For what purpose do I have OCD? What can I do with is? How can I be a better person and help others?”

Posting always helps me. I am certainly not an expert. I am always willing to help, but the best way I can assist anyone is to recommend that they speak to one of the OCD therapists that are part of this site. I know that the first call is free. As I have mentioned, I have been blessed with a condition called Purely Obsessive Disorder. I say “blessed” because it opens a whole new picture when we choose to look at things with a different lens. I have had unwanted, repetitive thoughts, ever since I was five years old. I am now 56. I will be 57 in a couple of months. Sometimes I feel regret for the things that I have not done because of my condition. I have made mistakes along the way and “you know who” has certainly played a part, but then again if I had been born without Pure-O, I probably would have made other (if not the same) mistakes anyway. Pure-O (I’ll just call it OCD to avoid causing confusion) has also given me a lot of positive things. I love to write, I want to help people who suffer as I have, I have thirst for knowledge about mental disorders and about life in general. We all have strengths and maybe, just maybe, some of those abilities can be attributed to the one thing we dread the most: OCD We just need to be able to live with it. I have found relief in writing about what goes through my mind. It helps lessen the anxiety. Sometimes I have to write, about a particular thought, several times, and I do, and it’s ok! What works for me may not work for everyone and I know that everyone’s condition is different and complex to say the least. What I know is that if you embrace your OCD, if you make it s point to become informed about your condition and you talk to people who have been there, you will see a light at the end of the tunnel! My best wishes for empowerment to all who may read this!

Good Morning! I always try to come through as optimistic and that’s how I genuinely feel. OUR OCD, as much of a pain in the backside as it is, can be a good thing if we know how to handle it, if we know what to do with it. Having said that, I suffer as much as anyone on this forum and I need help just like everyone else. I recently moved to a new apartment. It’s much nicer than the one where I lived. The main building burnt down at the old place and a lot of unpleasant events unfolded after that, so I am ecstatic to be in a nicer place and thrilled to begin a new chapter in my life. Everything is perfect; up to the point where my lifelong companion knocks on my brain’s door and says, “You’re moving to a second floor, second floors are different, you just don’t have the same stability, you’re life actually elapses differently when you’re not on the first floor, everything you do is different on the second floor” The real me knows this is nonsense. I have lived on the first floor and prefer the second floor, but that’s not the point. The problem is that I have a variant of OCD that’s called Pure-O and thoughts, such as what I have described above, have haunted me ever since I was five years old. Thoughts such as these, constantly tormenting me, will bring me down to my knees. They will obstruct my progress and impede me from being able to meet my commitments. I am sharing this because I need help and the best way I can help myself is by letting someone know about what is inside my head. I can’t talk to just anyone because some folks just don’t understand. But I can share my pain in writing. I am certain it will help and I hope that, by sharing my burden, some of you will identify with what I am going through and feel empowered as well. “OCD, you will not ruin my life, you will not prevent me from being successful and enjoying my new home. I love living on the second floor. What you will do is make me stronger and more creative. I will use you to be successful and I will help empower people who are suffering. Thank you for being a part of my life. I am calling the shots, not you”

Wow... As a mom who fiercely loves her son, I am grateful to find you. My sons onset was after his Sr yr of football. Multiple undiagnosed concussions and his attempt to self medicate led to an Aquired Brain Injury mimicking psychosis. After 6 yrs we are winning and we are now learning to work with hus severe intrusive thoughts OCD. So much he doesn't put a hole sentence together. YET. It's coming. Thank you for doing this. When my Mitchell is ready and able you will hear directly from him. Shout out to all the FIGHTING moms..

My mind is always thinking that if my anxiety doesn’t go away I may snap. I have anxiety because I have anxiety. Does that make sense

Hey everyone, I am new to OCD; I cheated on my partner and even though I did tell him, I am consumed with the details of it and I am not able to let it go. I got told by my old therapist today that it was the guilt and I’d never get better; however my sister recommended this app. Reading on here about people thinking this is forever and that they thought OCD is an excuse is really helping me. I am super eager to start ERP and hope there’s light at the end of this tunnel.

OCD won’t get better without medication. I take generic Luvox for mine, and it really helps. Psychotherapy can be helpful if you get the right therapist. Good luck!! Don’t give up on yourself.

I wish everybody on this platform good luck it is a hard and difficult road when you have any kind of OCD it is absolutely debilitating at points and you feel like a fool a fool that you cannot control your own mind even though no stupid you still try to make sense of it I pray everyone gets the help they need Trust in yourself I see only thing we have is to trust us God bless you.

Hi, Stephen! What an incredible story and thank you so much for sharing. I definitely relate to this post very much as I’m sure many others do. I know I’m not alone in my struggle with OCD but sometimes that’s easy to forget. I’m so glad you were able to get the treatment you needed. You are an inspiration. I admire your transparency as it is vital in the mental health world. You’ve done something I could only dream of — creating a safe space for those who need help and treatment. What a beautiful accomplishment. I have made and done my own ERP but am now working with an OCD therapist to further my journey to healing and happiness. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do!

I have dermatillomania (skin picking disorder) which is probably brought on by a sense of perfectionism. I want things to be smooth—especially on my skin. Therefore if there is a bump I will want to rid myself of it even if I cause a lot of skin damage getting to the bottom of it. Is this OCD? Will I ever be ably to rid myself or this?

I don’t have OCD, is it possible for me to book a call with a therapist who can see if I have ocd?

I have the healthy Indiana plan care source insurance. Is there anything I can do?

I don’t have 2K to spend on a therapist or however stupid it is, but would love to get help for my ocd one day when i’m a millionaire in my dreams🥰🥰🥰🥰

Wow I relate to this story so much. That is also why I am here exactly. I really didn’t want to try another failed talk therapy session. Trouble getting diagnosed etc. This is so encouraging. I just scheduled my first visit. Thanks for offering this in a way that’s accessible!

Do you have to be a Florida resident to have Florida Blue insurance?

I don’t have OCD but my daughter has it and I want to understand better what she’s going through. She’s 29

My life requires me to take action. There are “real problems” that I must attend. It’s so frustrating to be thinking absurdly when there are so many fires to put out. I am sure that this opportunity, to write about what is ailing me from the inside, will help me. It is akin to opening an escape valve and releasing pressure from my brain. I hope everyone who is reading this will find their escape valve and feel better today and everyday!

Stephen thank you. The NOCD support groups are AMAZING and are helping so much ! I felt so alone before finding NOCD. Thanks for creating this awesome-ness!!!!!

My OCD problem is that when I make an error at work, I cannot forgive myself.

Your story of battle and triumph over OCD is quite like mine. OCD is a more than just brain chemical imbalances and taking pills to feel better. ERP is the gold standard for OCD.

Do You take insurance

For anyone who wants to share their experience, I’m open to talk about how OCD has affected my life… Btw How can I get a session with a therapist in here?… best!

My first session is on April 9th. I pray my insurance comes through because I'm out of options for therapy. Only thing available is emdr and cbt

How about NOCD coverage for military Tricare and dependents ? ❤️

I don’t have OCD but my daughter has it and I want to understand better what she’s going through. She’s 29

I recommend taking her to a therapist. The good thing is that you have identified the problem while she is still a child. You are able to help her. When we were children OCD was unknown. Mental illness in general was not even addressed and when it was talked about it was stigmatized. We had to go through a big part of our lives not knowing what we had, yet aware that something was wrong with us. You are fortunate to be able to help your child and have information readily accessible. Please reach out to the experts in this forum. The first call will not cost you anything. They will guide you. I hope this helps.

OCD affects us in different ways. There are people who have unjustified fear of germs. While it is reasonable to wash your hands periodically and use hand sanitizer, it is not reasonable to wash your hands every five minutes and not be able to leave the house for fear of getting contaminated. Our OCD mind takes things out of proportion. Personally, the type of OCD that affects me has nothing to do with germs or contamination. I suffer from Pure-O. (Purely Obsessive). I don’t do many rituals. Once in a while, I may catch myself doing something quirky, but it doesn’t bother me. What does hit me hard are intrusive thoughts that take up a significant part of my time and cause me distress. I can solve problems and work under stress just fine, but I have a hard time dealing with the thoughts that my OCD generates. Those thoughts are ridiculous. They can be about anything. That’s precisely what makes this condition problematic. I feel incapacitated by something that is stronger than me, yet it has no significance. I am working through it, like everyone else on this forum. I have a long way to go. I hope I can help everyone else by sharing a piece of my journey. To answer your question “Does OCD mean it’s not true?” Not necessarily, some things could be true but OCD magnifies them to unreasonable proportions. Some things are definitely not true, like when we question if we’re capable of throwing our best friend in the path of an oncoming bus or something like that. OCD messes with our mind and that does not mean that we would be capable of doing such a thing as harming a loved one. Kindest regards

How much is a session with a therapist?

I get frustrated also. I also get depressed because living with this condition is not easy. Sometimes I snap at people close to me and I feel guilty afterwards, but we must validate our condition. We need to admit to ourselves that we have it. I find myself unconsciously telling myself that I am well, that I don’t have anything and should be strong. That’s what my brain tells me, but I have to remind it that there is a condition called OCD. I strongly encourage you to reach out to one of the therapists in this forum. If you cannot afford a session, like many of us, please take advantage of the free call. There is help available. Please don’t give up.

I have a condition that torments me the most with what means the most to me. It’s incredibly frustrating at time. You may recall that I mentioned, in an earlier post, that I had moved to an apartment on the second floor. That’s been drilling my head since Saturday. I know that letting it out helps diffuse the anxiety. I hope and pray that it will help because I have so much to do. This condition can diminish me to being the same person I was when I first cried out for help. It can be merciless. It is up to us to empower ourselves through knowledge. Ruminating about living upstairs is nonsense. Why should that matter?

I have the exact same OCD. It's hard since it's not "standard symptoms" to accept it as OCD.

NOCD has absolutely saved my life. It has given my life back to me. Thank you so much Stephen.

I’m 66 ~& treated for depression for roughly 26 yrs & after a lot of ‘stuff’, I’m A.D.D. & an OCD perfectionist. I do have anxiety from actual stress in being a caretaker.

I’m struggling

When I do ERP what I go through on a daily basis is “why are u ignoring the past?” And that elevates my fear sometimes more because the event actually did happen, but I am obsessing over all the possibilities of that event from the past. - I’m struggling with relationship OCD right now , that’s my theme… and as a result of control - religious OCD too.

I don’t know if I should think or not.

Goodmorning can’t sleep but thinking more positive will like some feedback if anyone awake

Today I hate being me I want to be anyone except me no one can understand what it's like when you're physically emotionally spiritually fighting to survive sometimes I wonder what it's all for God just playing a game to test me I don't know anymore to be honest I don't really care if I had enough money I'd leave until summer by myself I'm just relax I'm not think about anything or anyone anymore but for everything I hope for I believe myself and fucked up

Hey iv scedualed a call for today hopefully i can clame my life back

For a month and 1/2. I have been having reoccurring repeating bizarre thoughts about God, Life, Heaven, Religion and other stuff. It goes around and around inside my head 24/7. I think this is a sign of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This is the first time this has ever happened to me. I never had any mental health issues before in my life. I can’t seemed to stop this thoughts or get rid of them out of my head. I don’t know what to do. Why is this happening to me? I haven’t taken any medications, to be honest with you I have no idea which or is there a medication for this. Can you help get back to my old self, without these thoughts running around 24/7 inside my head. I am running out of options. The only way I get some peace in my head is when I fall asleep but that only lasts for 2 or 3 hours and I wake up those thoughts are up and running endlessly in my head.

thank you for creating this app. it’s a godsend.

I have to do ERP on my own, I just started and I feel like what if getting rid of my OCD makes me someone different that I don't like, someone irresponsible? Sometimes I feel like my OCD keeps me in check and helps me stay organized and prepared even though I hate my compulsive behavior.

How does the insurance portion work?

I was also misdiagnosed a few times. Before learning I had pure O i genuinely just thought I was horrible person because of the dark places my mind would ruminate. I felt afraid, guilty, and ashamed for about a year and a half. I overdosed and was placed in a psychiatric facility only to leave just as anxious and confused as I’d came in. I seriously considered suicide many times pretty much right until learning my diagnosis . My days are rather difficult. I struggle looking anyone in the eyes and am still quite afraid that someone is going to see me as the monster my ocd convinced me I was. The one thing I can say that in seeking treatment for this diagnosis since learning what was wrong with me has been comforting and somewhat effective, and I trust for things to continue to get better. Thank you for your services, and love out to this community.

I have a therapist trained in EMDR among many other things. She is not, to my knowledge, an OCD therapist. I have been working with her for a while and don’t want to terminate my relationship with her. Is it possible to do therapy with her and OCD therapy via your platform? Could you please tell me what qualifications and licensures your OCD therapists have? Are any of them licensed in NC?

Is ruminating a form of ocd?

I set up an appointment but I didn’t put my number,… how are they supposed to call me? I have an appointment in 2 hours

I was really inspired by your post and think I might have found solution to my problem of a biracial relationship . Thks

Thank you! I would have never found help if it wasn’t for uou

I have intrusive thoughts that just do not go away. I do not have a therapist at this time. I would like to learn how to deal with OCD

Thank you , thank you for creating this chance to finally, and hopefully find help and change perceptions of others. We’re not damaged, we’re different and usually highly intelligent and extremely artistic.

Thank you for sharing your story. I also have intrusive thought obsessions and reassurance seeking habits. My first therapy session is next month and I honestly cried after booking it because I was so happy to take the next steps in recovery. I was diagnosed 4 years ago and shortly after quit going after ERP started ( I know, I know, real bad). I tried to do the homework but it was so stressful, I didn't want to go back. I now know I really need help and need to stick with the tasks given to me but also need to communicate when something gets hard. I thought I could "fix" the OCD by myself but I couldn't. I have a psychology bachelors degree and wanted to be a counselor which added an extra layer of shame and sadness because I dropped that dream after my OCD flared after college graduation. Then after the pandemic hit, my OCD took other forms instead of unwanted sexual thoughts, it was leaning towards more health based both partially in a realistic way but also an obsessive way. I made excuses why I wasn't in therapy and then had not great insurance but as soon as i got better insurance i booked an appointment with NOCD which I had seen via instagram. I was skeptical at first becuase what are the odds theres a whole place for people with OCD but after seeing all the information about ocd on the page I was convinced it was leit and something i needed.

Thank you Stephen so much ❤️❤️❤️🥺🥺💕💕 I am so happy I am not alone and that I can feel safe here with everyone

:)

I feel like once I conquer other OCD intrusive thoughts others appear

Hi Stephen, our 12 year old daughter is suffering with OCD/anxiety/intrusive thoughts and is currently a patient at Rogers Behavioral Health in Philadelphia and we are not seeing much improvement with the treatment thus far. The family therapist at Rogers recommended NOCD as a potential fit since we live so far away and are contemplating other options to better support our daughter and her OCD treatment. Would greatly appreciate any insight you can provide on the NOCD program and how it may differ and potentially be more beneficial than Rogers. Thanks so much! Chris and Aleksandra

I’m honestly willing to pay whatever I have had 11 years jobs this past year not because I’m a bad worker or money but because of the staring I cried so much over the past year I’ve thought about suicide I kept thinking maybe I deserve this I kept trying to figure out what’s my purpose My own family talks about me it’s hard for me to work I’m always quitting I lost everything and the sad part is I try so hard not to look at people or my even eye contact witch makes it worst people see me and I am very beautiful but think I’m nasty my own mom keep calling me sick and I just cry the sad part is I don’t have my apartment anymore so I have no other choice but to stay with her so I just stay in the garage until I’m tired or something and I have kids and I don’t won’t my kids to hate me when they get older I feel like that gonna be my end result I will forever be like this and forever be alone because I wouldn’t even won’t to be with me

Well, was so excited last Wednesday when my 19 yo son came to me and said he scheduled a free consultation with NOCD. Since he is over 18, obviously, I cant make appts for him, but I have been hinting to him for over a year, that he ought to check NOCD out. I had tears well up. His OCD has been elevated as of late, but even before, his mind is so consumed with his obsessions/compulsions that he has been robbed of about 5 years of his young life. He was devestated to learn that my insurance is not covered. I would argue that I have some of the best insurance in our state, but Blue Cross of Iowa is not accepted at NOCD! This is so depressing. Not only is Iowa (I feel) one of the WORST states in addressing and offering help for mental illnesses, but then the glimmer of hope he had, to get his OCD under control, is now financially impossible for him and us to pay outright. $170 per hour isn't feasible. He was told to send a copy of my insurance "just in case" but what good will that do? Feeling hopeless. All we have in Iowa are social workers who say they have experience with OCD. The last one he saw didn't even know what ERP therapy was!

Stephan, thank you so much for your engagement for OCD . I’ve contamination OCD, and a big relapse since Corona! I am German, it’s hard to UNDERSTAND by speaking , reading / writing is better . I heard about good therapist on NOCD ! MAYBE YOU have German speaking therapists. Or therapist, who speak clear and slowly!!!😂

Is this available I the UK? Thank you

Please help…I cannot afford treatment so what is my next option here in this group?

Hi, I live in south africa. My daughter is 17.its so hard to get treatment here. She's being to 15 sessions of therapy with 3 psychologists, no help. She took antidepressants, cause her severe anxiety and suicidal. Did anyone experience something similar with meds. She's being going thru this for 8 months. Cost me 20000 in treatment, still things are the same. She's been to 3 psychiatrists and their consultations are very expensive

My daughter sees a psychiatrist and psychologist and we have family therapy also and she is on 2 different medications one in the morning and one at night to help alleviate the ruminating thoughts that consume her completely!

Prozac and an anti psychotic drug at night to ease the thoughts in her head. She has chronic ocd

Thank you

Thank you so much for starting this platform! I REALLY appreciate it. My housemate who has been diagnosed with OCD recommended it to me. I am pretty much self-diagnosed and I’ve suspected I have it ever since I was a young child so I’m surprised it’s gone under the radar this long. I feel that the forms of OCD have changed over time depending on my circumstances and surroundings, but the one kind that has remained consistent for me since I was little and seems to currently be bothering me and interfering with my daily life the most is compulsive skin picking (otherwise known as excoriation disorder/Dermatillomania & falls under the umbrella of BFRBs or body-focused repetitive behaviors)! I have a mental health therapist I just started working with and I don’t believe she specializes in OCD or BFRBs and when I told her about my problematic skin picking, she said it might just be a “stim” for my ADHD but based on the research I’ve done and from talking to my housemate more who also has and openly admits to having Dermatillomania, I think this is more of an OCD thing than an ADHD thing for me. Do any of your therapists on here deal with or specialize in BFRBs? I didn’t see it listed as a subtype I could choose from and I know there’s still some controversy as to whether it’s actually a form of OCD but in regards to my history, to me it seems like it definitely is related. Haha I tried to make this message as concise as possible and that was the best I could do! 😂 I don’t know if you’ll see this bc this is such an old post but general public or anyone with similar experiences can feel free to respond as well. I want to get my life back and I’m so glad I was recommended this app. Thanks!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I have been struggling with ocd for long tim, but these days i want to do unrealistic things in very small amount of time.

You should clarify that OCD is an ongoing mental issue. My son is 27 and has had it since he was 8. His symptoms come and go based on stressful experiences in his life. He has has ERP and CBT therapy and is on meds. But his OCD is always lurking.

Hi everyone, I have had harm OCD for almost 20 years now. It first started with me thinking I would stab my boyfriend at the time, my parents and grandmother (the people I loved the most). I was diagnosed with OCD and it actually these thoughts went away for years. When I met my husband 10 years ago those thoughts came back about stabbing him. I shared with him my thoughts and articles about it. He said he knew I wasn't gonna hurt him and the thoughts went away again. Fast-forwarding to this year when I had my son, my harm OCD got out of control. I had many thoughts on how I was going to harm and potentially kill my baby. I knew it was my OCD, but I never felt so incredibly guilty. I was able to not avoid carrying for him because I knew what I was experiencing were classical harm OCD thoughts. However, I needed a lot of reassurance from my psychiatrist and I can see how the medical community is still so unaware of OCD. My obgyn was worried I had postpartum psychosis which made my OCD flare up even more. I'm getting a lot better now, but would like to try ERP to see if I can get rid of OCD once and for all. Throughout the years I've engaged in multiple avoidance techniques such as nut using knives or scissors, still don't watch movies that involve killers and homicides, or show dead bodies to make a few. Anyways, I'm glad there's a platform to share these really scary thoughts and to know that I'm not crazy or a murderer. I love my family and my son, but unfortunately I have OCD, and that's all there's to it.

The word above is does not dies typo error !

Hi thank you for sharing your story and what you are going through with your daughter. I pray that the therapy will eventually pay off. In the meantime continue to get support for yourself. I’m here for you if you need to vent or to have someone to just listen to you without making any judgements. I send you positive vibes of compassion, love, and peace!

I have similar OCD

Yes it’s part off ocd my daughter picks her head until it bleeds and she pulls out her eye lashes too as well as compulsive phobias and compulsive thoughts with ticks , checking fir reassurance all the time and rituals it’s never ending . She is on medication and we get therapy once every week for her and for us mom and dad . There are so many different variations to ocd no two are the same .

Amazing !

My daughter is in a counselling centre called camhs .she sees a psychologist,psychologist and social worker with me . And her dad and I also get help and advice ti support us all as a family . My treatment is free as I got her diagnosed through her doctor . The team are amazing they do CBT and Delay and response therapy . She is also on medication . So we are very lucky to have this support .

I have a 25 year old daughter who has OCD. Outside looking in, she seems like she has her life together, but inside her own you see the chaos that is going on in her head. She is not a hoarder yet, but if she continues this path she will be. She has been in therapy for her anxiety attacks and she has been able to work though those, now I am looking for ways to help her OCD and her chaotic home and car which is preventing her from hanging out with friends and even allowing people to come in and fix stuff in the house, like a plumber or electrician, because she is ashamed of her house. I was going every couple of weeks to clean, but within a day or two it is back to where it was. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience in this?

Thank you for creating this! I’ve done ERP on my own/with family support in the past and it helped a lot, although it was extremely intense and I was very tough on myself. I feel like it wouldn’t be that intense with a therapist and would be more beneficial. I have a therapist, so I’m not sure if my insurance would cover another type of therapy, but if I can I’ll give it a shot! Anything for some relief.

My daughter texts me 388 times in her lunch our from school so my husband took my phone so that I could stop the destructive cycle and take the lead . She doesn’t want to interact with the other kids so she just texts me for reassurance but it only lasts a second until she gets another thought ! Our ocd therapist is very happy with me for breaking the obsessive addictive behaviour ! We have another 1,000 things to accomplish! But one thing at a time ,until we take the power back From the ocd and build her confidence up .

I have OCD and some intrusive thoughts. I take Prozac for this. I think it helps.

Thank Stephen for sharing your Experience with OCD. People can't possibly know what you are going through if they have never experienced it... it's like having a drug addiction and trying to find a way for treatment without being judged. Have a blessed day. Kris Westbrook

Hey guys. I don’t know if anyone’s actually gonna read this but I’m struggling with SO-OCD and I wish I could just disappear. I’m married to the girl of my dreams and have a son and I couldn’t have been happier. I love them with all my heart and growing up I never felt attracted to men in any way. One night this crap came out of no where and it felt like I was getting everything I loved ripped away from me and I was panicking and I even had to go to the hospital one night because I was having suicidal thoughts. These thoughts make me feel so awful that I want to puke and I feel like never getting out of bed. I just started seeing a therapist and the thought of ERP scares the living crap out of me. I feel so alone and I just want my life back.