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Username: ambernicole

Date posted: 2y ago

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Is it common for OCD to impact focus and increase anxiety, especially in women?

OCD questions

Do any of y’all feel like your focus is gone because of OCD? I’m in school for law and currently working through a couple month long OCD episode after getting Covid and I find my focus is gone. Or my mind just feels so tired and forgetful. Is this common? It’s making anxious as I obviously over analyze everything I feel. And also a question for women do you find that closer to your cycle you get more anxious and triggered?

Username: Peace:)joy27Peace:)joy27

Date posted: 2y ago

Yes! I was supposed to finish up with furthering my nursing degree this year but had a setback because of this crap. It’s a pain in the butt. I am feeling a lot better than I was before but my mind is still not where I need it to be. I’m also already a nurse and I work with multiple patients. It can be hard to be focused and give them my full undivided attention because negative thoughts seem to just bombard my brain. One day at a time though, it will get better

Username: ambernicole ambernicole

Date posted: 2y ago

It’s so frustrating isn’t it. I’m happy to hear that your doing better though, that’s what counts. I’ve definitely made progress too but I find it tough to stay focused on class and retain info with out get anxious and getting distracted. Thank you for your reply

Username: Stacy QuickStacy Quick

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 2y ago

@ambernicole you actually bring up something that is not talked about much but it is VERY common to see a worsening of anxiety/OCD symptoms around the time of your mensuration. Also I wonder about the Covid in general- I have heard there can be remaining symptoms for some time after and wonder if that may also be part of the concentration issues. But I also know that OCD can take up so much energy and space, so it makes sense that you may find it really difficult to think about other things and to concentrate. Have you talked to your doctor about medications that may help?

Username: ambernicole ambernicole

Date posted: 2y ago

I was wondering about Covid too. I had an episode of bad OCD 10 years ago and relapsed when I got Covid in February. Since then I’ve been working on it. I started nocd therapy and working on it with out medication. I didnt take medication before and I was able to work through it. It sure does take up so much energy and space in the mind.

Username: Anonymously2 Anonymously2

Date posted: 2y ago

Yes, I’m on anticonception (the pill) but I notice that when I get in my stopweek I get triggered more often and the thoughts get worse

Username: redmuse22redmuse22

Date posted: 2y ago

Some people have reported "brain fog" after COVID, that might be contributing. I've been having issues focusing during work, but hadn't thought to connect it to OCD. But if you are having a mental battle during the day, it makes sense it would make it hard to maintain focus. My mood in general was stable and better while pregnant and definitely is worsened by periods. I'm sure hormones play a big role in these things. I did show some improvement when taking b-complex, vitamin d, and fish oil consistently (at the recommendation of my psychiatrist)to complement my medication (more energy mainly). But if you're on meds of any kind, definitely check with a pharmacist before adding supplements to your diet.

Username: ambernicole ambernicole

Date posted: 2y ago

I was wondering about vitamins that might help. I take b and d daily and I find it helps. I just find that the anxiety and ocd is worse in the mornings and that’s when Im in class and my mind is on everything, I get on phone seeking reassurance, researching etc. I try really hard to stay focused on school but my mind wanders. Before I got Covid and relapsed I was great. Just working on getting back there. Thank you for your reply ♥️

Username: OnedayOneday

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

I was thinking about this today. It was like a light bulb moment when I realized that I had issiesn concentrating partly bc I am always dealing with many thoughts/intrusions at a time. I definitely feel like it affects my ability to focus.

Username: ambernicole ambernicole

Date posted: 2y ago

Yes, this is it. My mind starts going and then I get anxious and get on my phone, seeking reassurance and reading etc… when I don’t let myself and make myself focus I can do it, it’s tough but I’m just not retaining the info because I’m trying so hard to focus lol if that makes sense

Username: Peace:)joy27Peace:)joy27

Date posted: 2y ago

Also towards my cycle, I get a lot more cranky and agitated

Username: OnedayOneday

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

*issues

Username: linds💕

Date posted: 2y ago

Why is soocd so confusing?? Anyone else’s OCD just bring up past experiences and make you believe that it could mean you’re the opposite sexual orientation you are? I identify as a straight female but in the past I had thoughts I could have been bi so it made me think I was even though I’ve never actually liked a girl? Idk. I’m so confused. I’m not attracted to women, I’ve always been super boy crazy. I just feel super alone in this regardless of all the similar experiences other people go through. I can’t watch tv, work is really hard because I have to talk to other women, certain clothes trigger me, hanging out with friends is hard, being lovey to my boyfriend is hard, even looking at myself is hard. I don’t feel like me. I’m just so confused and so lost. My OCD really sparked back in October and since it’s just gotten progressively worse. I have therapy today, and I’m looking forward to it. Anxiety and OCD is so hard. It effects me of every moment of every day, in everything I do. Im just so tired. Anyone have exposures that may help with this??

Username: Tee10

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Feelings

It’s so weird how OCD just comes about with no explanation, out of nowhere. My issue has been feelings. I have moments of hyper focusing on feelings, trying to figure them out, and it’s exhausting. Logically, I know that what I’m going through with the things happening in my life (relationship ending that was abusive, my father just getting diagnosed with dementia, etc) would make anyone feel the way I do. But I keep trying to fight my feelings. “Normally, old me” would embrace them and let them be. Ever since my OCD returned, I can’t help but fixate on them and stress even more. It’s almost like my emotions and the way we are as humans in my mind has become even more of a problem than the problems themselves. Can anyone relate? I am doing my best with ERP. I definitely helps. But I’m still waking up not feeling like myself and it hurts.

"Pure" OCD

Username: Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 44w ago

Struggling

My OCD has been a little better since I started this whole journey with therapy. The one thing I’m really struggling with is my anxiety. It used to be that my anxiety was fueled by OCD thoughts. It seems to have shifted though to just everyday life. I don’t even feel like I’m thinking about anything yet I have fear everywhere. I feel like I don’t know how to tackle this as it’s new territory. Living with this all day long fear has really started to take a toll depression wise. Just curious if anyone else has had a period like this. Any tips would super help.

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Is it common for OCD to impact focus and increase anxiety, especially in women?

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