Recently got back from University and I've been staying with my parents. I'm not sure why but my OCD and anxiety seems worse than it was during spring quarter. I'm wondering if anyone else who is currently in college has had a similar experience? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 💜
Yes - I think it's because even though the business of college is stressful, it also helps keep your mind occupied so you have less time to dwell. In my experience, the fallout from the sudden loss of academic chaos seems to last one, maybe two weeks at the most, and then it begins to die down again as you relearn how to relax.
Yes! Every summer! I also used to get severe anxiety if I went back to school after the summer. I think it's just a change in routine for me personally, (I'm autistic so when my daily routine is disrupted, I'm more anxious). I just try and distract myself and I try to make a new routine to stick to for the summer.
When we have changes in our lives it sometimes kicks up the OCD. I would suggest making a new hierarchy list with the new OCD content and compulsions that is coming up since being home and work on exposures around that. Write down what is distressing you (obsessions) and then write down what you do in response to the distress (compulsions). Rate them least to most distressing. Start exposure with the least distressing(not doing compulsions, opposite action). Then get present in your daily life. Get out of your head and into the world. I think below you said that you will be starting therapy soon. That's great! It will help so much. In the meantime you can watch NOCD's weekly live shows on Youtube and even ask questions and they answer live. Good Luck!
Yup! I haven’t been able to sleep or relax and feel so anxious
I’m gonna start doing therapy more regularly this summer and try to exercise more
Yes, I really relate to this. A lot of my anxious behavior is related to school since that’s what I spend most of my time on, so I thought that it would get better when summer started. But alas, that is not what happened, and the first week or two was really rough, and now, while I’m kinda managing it more, it feels the same or worse in some areas. As for suggestions, idk if I’m comfortable enough to say since I may not be sure what is/isn’t a compulsion, so if anyone has any other pointers lmk
OCD worse in fall/winter: Does anyone else's OCD get worse in the fall/wintertime? I think maybe it's the combination of it being shitty and dark outside all the time, and always having to just be in the house. My friends are at college during that time of year too, so basically I just have zero distraction and it gives my brain too much time to overthink and create issues. I used to think I had seasonal affective disorder until I found out I had OCD, but I don't.
Hey all! I just joined this app and wanted to ask for your thoughts and encouragement on something I’ve been experiencing lately. (*long post ahead*) I’ve had an OCD diagnosis for about 2 years now, along with generalized anxiety, depersonalization symptoms, and depression diagnoses since my teens (I’m 24). Been lucky to have great family and healthcare that have helped me get out of some very dark places. I’m currently on a very high dose of Prozac, a smaller dose of Wellbutrin, and have been in therapy pretty consistently since my late teens. Life is pretty good....I’m in grad school and am doing well socially and academically. I am moving out to another part of the country to do an internship for 10 weeks, starting this Friday. But with all of this great and wonderful stuff in life, I have definitely noticed my OCD getting worse, despite my meds and self care. I’ve been having more obsessive fears and doing the rituals and compulsions to soothe those fears. It’s taking up much more of my mental space than it had for the past 2 years or so. I think part of it is the big change of moving to a new place temporarily, finishing my first year of grad school, and going from being insanely busy to having a month of downtime that is just now wrapping up. I’m getting scared that things are going to get really bad again — so far I’ve been managing with mindfulness and acceptance, and reading up on tactics for managing intrusive thoughts and accompanying compulsions. But I am so afraid that things will get to be into the dark and horrible place they were in 2 years ago. My OCD has been really mild the past few years, since I started the meds, and to feel it flare up again is really REALLY distressing. It makes me scared that the meds aren’t working, or that all the thoughts and fears are real. I know this isn’t the truth, logically, but my OCD and anxiety are running with it. I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced this (change-related flare ups and the fears accompanied by them) and has tools to manage relapse or flare ups. Thanks in advance :) :)
Been having a tough few weeks... I left university in 2020 after an OCD breakdown. Since then I've received a ton of therapy and decided to give uni another try. Only problem is, the last few days I can't catch a break from the constant bombardment of intrusive thoughts. Its leaving me worried that I'll end up having another breakdown. I get over one thought, then my brain is just scanning scanning for the next thing to ruminate over. Everytime I get over one obsession, it seems to find something worse or more disturbing. I don't want all my energy starting uni to be spent battling my mind. Any advice is appreciated.👍
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