i messed up i went on google after WEEKS of not going bc i remembered something from the past and got triggered and googled and i got even more triggered after going on Quora. I don’t know why i did i knew i shouldn’t have but i have nobody to talk to rn. i’m spiraling so bad rn i’m so triggered idk what to do. please help.
What you can do is to accept the existence of these thoughts. But don't forget that thoughts are just thoughts. Thoughts do not define your reality. They do not have power on you. They can go as they come. You can not control them. So just leave them be. But don't let them affect you. You will feel this strong urge to reassure yourself. You want to be a 100% sure that you are not what you are afraid of. When you have the urge, you have to resist it. Because in long term reassuring yourself will not help you. It will only feed your OCD. Let the thoughts be there in fact you can invite them yourself. But instead of trying to fight them or to get rid of them, try not to engage in them. You can hear but it is up to you not to listen them. Best way to show OCD that it can not control you is to show it that you are in charge, that whichever trap it uses it does not effect you. You are strong. To get better, it is important to change our reactions to intrusive thoughts. Instead of giving them the attention and importance they don't even deserve, you can choose to tell them to fuck off. I believe in you. You are not alone in this.
@zzyyxx thank you. but this feeling in my chest won’t go away. any tips?
@zzyyxx Here’s my question: do memories count as thoughts? Like, those things in my past happened— it’s not like I’m obsessing over intrusive thoughts like “she’s hot”, I’m obsessing over things that I did as a kid and teenager that seem like proof that I’m not straight.
@lennygirl In OCD not only thoughts but images, feelings or memories can be intrusive too. But what you do is replaying your memories for any "proof" that might show you're gay. This is a compulsion too. Try not to engage in them too, like you've been doing for intrusive thoughts. If your mind shows you an image or a memory then says "you did this so you are gay" or like "there was this moment you felt attracted to a girl so you can be gay" etc. Try saying this "yeah it seems like i'm gay in this memory. Maybe i am gay or maybe i'm not gay. So what?" or you can try to tell yourself that "yeah this looks like a good memory, i forgot that but it was good remembering it. I look really cool." Remember OCD brings these memories to surface to make you desperate and anxious. But if you show it that you are not afraid that you are finding them funny instead of finding them scary, their effect will gradually increase. But OCD will know that its tactics and tricks do not work on you.
@nobody03 Tightness in the chest is a symptom of anxiety. You can try to refocus your mind to the present. Best way to manage this is mindfullness and breathing exercises. Also counting may help. But by counting i'm not telling you to count things as a compulsion. To refocus count 5 things that you see, 4 things that you can touch, 3 things that you can hear, 2 things that you can smell and 1 thing that you can taste. If you don't have time or chance to meditate you can do this.
I may also suggest you to try breathing exercises. It really helps. I recently discovered a technique called sofi breathing. It also helps if you have trouble sleeping. All you have to do is to inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds without holding your breathe. You can do it until you feel calmer.
@zzyyxx thanks i’ll try
You have to stop googling , Google can’t ever know your sexuality. Once you stop doing compulsions you’re halfway there
@Justmesadly i know, i hadn’t Googled in so long but i had lost control and just did it and i hated myself for it bc it triggered me so much more
@nobody03 Don’t hate yourself. But if you can do it for so long when you have the thought to do it again remind yourself how long you went !
@Justmesadly i know but i can’t stop feeling triggered and overwhelmed still :/
it was what someone said on Quora that triggered me. idk how to calm down
Hey it's okay. You can talk to me. It's normal to regress sometimes but things will get better. I can understand what you're going through. I've been there too. But you will be OK. Just don't fight or try to dissipate the thoughts. Know that they are just thoughts not facts.
Don't hate yourself for this. In fact don't hate yourself for anything including your intrusive thoughts. Yes googling is also a compulsion but we all have some set backs like this. At least know you have a good idea what your triggers are. And you know your compulsions. The next time you can use this to your adventage. Every experience can be a good lesson for us. You can also use internet for useful things like learning about your subtype of OCD and how to deal with it. You can learn to control your episodes, there are some good websites and academic sources about OCD on the internet.
@zzyyxx i feel like i can’t enjoy my life without constantly reassuring myself, and all this stuff from my past coming back to haunt me. i fell asleep triggered and woke up feeling worse. i can’t afford help i don’t know what to do
The other day I posted something about my harm ocd. I was so thankful that a few people gave me some great advice. A few days after, one of the therapists also replied. It was great advice. But something they said at the end has triggered me so bad that I’m spiraling. They said that if my thoughts change to actually wanting my harm thoughts, to contact my therapist. For some reason, this has sent me reeling because part of my harm ocd is worrying if I want these thoughts! And now I feel like I’m this horrible person and I’m changing. It’s not their fault. They didn’t know they’d trigger me. But idk what to do because now I just feel exhausted.
I think something just hardcore triggered me and I really need help. What do I do? Do lean into this or try to ground myself? I feel like I'm going to pass out.
Relapsing bad. Can anyone talk😔😭 I feel like I’m spiraling. Please help.
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