My OCD and Depression are teaming up on me heavily. They’re very focused on my family and me leaving right now because of harmful thoughts and the rumination is planting relationship doubts with my wife and kids. Anyone else going through this? Any advice?
I agree that rumination is the hardest to cut out 😭 harm OCD is really scary and honestly it took me so much work to not let it affect my daily life as much (there were weeks my brain was so burnt out and i couldn’t do a thing). I’m still battling them hard and its crazy scary, but what I would say is tackling any “stress” in life helps at least ALLEVIATE things. Stress usually caused more depression + makes OCd worse, but stress is easier to tackle. So I first did a lot of destressing stuff, like taking walks, meditating etc. My thoughts still bother me a lot, but at least I can do my work with all the worrying going on (which I know, not ideal, but is still some sort of improvement). I feel your pain! Take care!!
I am in therapy doing ERP for harm OCD. I hadn’t really struggled with Relationship OCD until the last day or two, and it’s a whole new bag of worms thrown into all of this.
@Christofer I’m so glad to hear you’re getting the help you deserve. I’m just starting my journey with my second session coming up. I really wish I had more advice to give you, but could use the same advice you’re seeking myself.
I’m really sorry to hear you’re going through a tough time. When OCD and depression team up, it can be really tough to navigate and keep your head up. I’m happy you’re reaching out for support. Have you tried treatment with an OCD specialist? Unfortunately, this sort of thing isn’t usually fixed in a paragraph of advice. With that said, my best advice is to focus on mindfulness. Stay more in the present and talk back to it. I use the “Hey you, see you later” method. “Hey you, ROCD. I’m actually trying to focus on my work right now and you’re not invited. I don’t need you. See you later!” Hopefully, ERP and expert advice can help you make progress. Just remember you’re not alone and the thoughts and doubts don’t need to be entertained.
I'm going through it
Is anyone dealing with really bad depression and harm ocd. I have come learn that the harm intrusive thoughts are thoughts and I would never act on them but the depression and panic attacks are awful. Not just the panic attacks but I just generally have this terrible feeling in my chest. I am a stay at home mom with a four year old I just cry all day it’s so hard to do anything and I am waiting on therapy. Does anyone have any tips or advise? How do I deal with this sadness I find no joy in almost anything I love my children and I don’t want them to see me like this
I am fairly new to the site, but have already been able to connect with a few of y'all that are struggling with some of the same things as I am. I have had OCD for years, but I never attributed my struggles to OCD, until I started down the path of harm OCD and the intrusive thoughts. Back in the beginning of December, I had a couple of intrusive thoughts come in about "what if" I harmed my husband and then one towards my youngest daughter. I let it get me so overwhelmed that I ended up in urgent care after passing out at my in-laws due to dehydration and lack of sleep. I finally found a therapist who informed me that I had OCD and that I hadn't just suddenly become a psychopath. But, even knowing that it is OCD, there has always been that doubt, as I am sure all of you have experience with. I am working on accepting the thoughts as just thoughts and moving on with my day. I have been working on not ruminating and just telling the thoughts, "maybe, maybe not." The problem is, every day, it is like the OCD is trying to convince me why I might harm my family. Every little thing that irritates me, my brain says, "See..you're getting frustrated with your kids. It makes sense that you would hurt them." On and on it goes and then I get the thought, maybe this is what I want. Maybe I am just an angry person. Maybe I have just finally had enough. I hate the "I" statements because I have never wanted to harm anyone, let alone my babies or my hubby. But, OCD tells me that I do. Has anyone else struggled with this? I have never wanted to harm anyone. I have always tried to protect my babies and do everything I can to protect my marriage as well. I just hate that OCD seems to be trying to convince me that it's not just thoughts, but that I actually want these things.
Anyone currently going through this? Or went through this? I have harm ocd and it’s either about my family or then about myself and I feel afraid of not having any hope any more. I get suicidal thoughts both as intrusive thoughts but also as something I would want to stop all the anxiety I feel. Any help is appreciated
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