I keep asking myself. I feel so dizzy. Like I could fall over or pass out. It also feel like I can’t breathe. How can I accept the thoughts when its not just thoughts, its these symptoms? I have an appt with a therapist but its not for a month. I just need a break
I've feel the same in the past, when it comes to real symptoms we need what I like to call "extra tools" these go beyond what you can mentally work with. The hard work it's finding your own tools and commit to them. For example, when I had these sort of panic attacks I felt safe in cold places, like the shower or the backyard, or with a chilled water glass, and then I would start breathing into 4's (inhale in 4s, maintain for 4s, exhale in 4s) Other thing that helped me a lot was watching friendly cartoons, mostly Pingu in my case, and I know it sounds incredibly childish but it gave sooo much peace! Again, this is what it worked for me, but the point is to find your own "safe place" so you can take all the time you need to calm down and realize that nothing bad is happening. I hope you can feel better until your appt. Remember that there is no need to rush to be ok, take your time, don't push yourself, and know that you'll find support here :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I will have to experiment with some things for relief and just try to not get discouraged. The cartoons actually sounds lovely. Stuff that is made for kids is usually so positive and upbeat :-)
Are you eating and drinking? My late, great therapist used to remind me that an empty bag doesn’t stand up. Beyond that, it sounds like it could be anxiety. Try to do some calming activities in general, and some breathing exercises both when you feel better and when things are tougher. I wish I could explain this with better examples, but my mind is fighting right now. Sending you so much strength and comfort! 💪🏼💜
Thank you :-) I have been trying to clean up my diet and have been working out quite a bit. Its so hard not to believe the symptoms are real. But they consume me like other obsessions. I hope you are finding some relief as well. Thank you for your kind words 😌
Hi everyone. I'm feeling kinda scared because I have to wait a whole month to start ERP therapy, but I feel like I need to start doing exposures now because the longer I wait, the more anxiety I get. It just feels like the OCD monster is getting worse. One thing that helps me is asking one person about an obsession I have...asking a person that I trust, and then doing an exposure after I get the "ok" to do it. I feel like I do need 1 reassurance and then I can go ahead and do it. I know i'm not supposed to ask for reassurance at all, but i dont think you're supposed to do ERP on your own right? Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do while waiting for therapy? PS-the reason there is a wait is bc she's on vacation. After she's back we will meet regularly.
These past few days I was fine. Minimal intrusive thoughts ,no anxiety etc(to add I'm on medication so maybe it's starting to work although it barely is 2 weeks) and today I got a sudden wave of anxiety and it started latching on some thoughts like" what if I'm in denial and I wanna break up with my bf? And what if erp doesn't work for me because I actually wanna break up with my bf?" But they didn't really stay long usually those thoughts would make me spiral for days or so, now they lasted for some hours. And now I'm trying to trigger myself into being anxious again because if I don't it means I don't have ocd and if I don't have ocd it means I don't love my bf and if I don't love my bf it means I have to break up. Idk if it makes sense but the lack of anxiety makes me wonder if I actually have ocd or not.
I can’t stop crying. My thoughts are going insane, they’re so fast I can’t keep up. I want to tell everyone around me what’s happening (my family doesn’t even know about my OCD). I can’t seem to resist compulsions today. I’m freaking out. I want to give up. I feel like I’m suffocating in whatever is going on. I feel like I need to go to a hospital. I don’t know how to ask for help. I don’t feel okay. I don’t understand this at all. It feels like I took some random drug. I’m really scared I’m sorry, I am so panicked. It’s embarrassing but I feel so desperate for help right now I feel crazy
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