Can anyone who has recovered, or is beginning to recover, describe that experience for themselves? I feel like a lot of us are just living by waiting for the next time we’re gonna be triggered and that’s no way to live. Thanks❤️☺️

It’s like stepping out of a bubble, we live in this alternate reality where we’re constantly battling our minds and when I got better with treatment, entering the real reality was just so different. I felt like I was gone for a long time, just not present which I guess is true because I was stuck battling this monster in my head. It was weird because a big part of me longed and missed my OCD again because it was all that I ever knew. I wanted to go back to how I was before which made me feel like such an outsider to the world. Having less intrusive thoughts and rituals made me realize how much time I had for me because I spent all day worrying constantly that never was a moment I wasn’t. You learn to make it a part of your life but not one that defines it. It cohabitates in my brain still but I know how to talk back to it or what to do when I need to bring myself back down to earth. I’m able to recognize it more for what it is than I ever could’ve done before

just live out your life and be content in the fact that OCD is a part of your life and you may struggle in the future but each time you overcome a phase you will grow stronger and be prepared for the next one

We’ll I’m super proud of you then!! And I’ve noticed that- each “spike” has been a little less intense as the next one and I guess it all comes back to how I handle the obsessions- even when I’m thinking “clearly”.

I’ve had 3 week long periods where OCD hardly bothers me. Like hours and hours can go by and it doesn’t even cross my mind once. It always ends up coming back eventually, but my spikes seem a lot shorter than they were when I first got OCD. They’ll last like one week instead of one month. I’m currently experiencing a spike right now which is why I’m on here lol! Hope that helps! I’ve tried to adopt an attitude that I may not be able to completely cure it, but I can greatly minimize its impact on my life, which is good enough for me at this point. My therapist says that there’s simply too many triggers in life for you to prepare for them all, so it’s just about how you react to them.

Thank you Francis! That definitely sounds like you're managing it. Keep up the good work and thanks again for sharing

I see, that’s so great for you!!! @Francis. I’m going to try as hard as I can to do just that! I feel like I have been this week and it’s just felt really weird! But anything is better than painful.

Hang in there! When you’re going through the worst of it, it always feels like you’re gonna be stuck in that state forever, which is a reallllly stressful feeling. It helps to think that this too shall pass, and you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel before long. Even if it’s a temporary light. The periods of light will get wider and wider the more you continue to use ERP and gain more experience in dealing with OCD and all it’s tricks

Thank you Francis, you've also given me hope. We're all in this together guys, we can manage this!

You adapt your life around it for 37+ years, since you don’t know what it is and had no idea that they actually have a name for it. Then you realize that most of your life you’ve been struggling with it. It’s been along for the ride since your twenties. You feel a sense of relief that you finally know the reasons. You learn as much about it as you can and learn to manage it. You realize that it’s robbed you of things that life has given you. You become determined to help others who are struggling with it anyway you can, because it’s not fair and life’s not fair.

Divorced at 30, no kids, living alone for 27 years...gee thanks a lot ocd.

@infinite I hope I can get there too! It's true. When I step into reality it feels so weird

i can’t say I’ve been doing much better but I’m fighting and staying strong ❤️

I’ve overcome other OCD themes before and once you do they usually come back less stronger the next time ??

relationship OCD is a new theme I’ve never experienced before and it’s very scary but I’m determined to fight for who I love and make sure that OCD doesn’t take away my joy and love

That’s the spirit. Never succumb!!

I too want to know how recovery looks and feels like

That makes me so hopeful. I’ll hang in there???

Thank you it means a lot to me.

@maga I promise you will

<3 I don't have emojies

Beautiful, thank you so much. You’ve been doing better?

Me making these realizations, except from the age of 7 to now (20). It’s been a wild ride realizing “it” had a name. Thank you for offering your expertise and being so willing to help other, made me tear up❤️

It’s been a long tough road for me and I don’t want anyone to suffer this way.

Oh Mike. I’m so sorry. You’ve got so much life to live and so much love to give though. I’m so glad this has been very transformative for you!!

Of course❤️ Rooting for you!