Seeking advice on handling resurfaced OCD symptoms after feeling better.

OCD Recovery -vs- Managing OCD This has recently been on my mind and I have landed on the opinion that Managing OCD is a more productive mindset for me. To me the word recovery implies cured, gone, and it is my understanding that OCD does not leave the brain, but the symptoms and effects can be managed to the point that they do not appear for long stretches of time. Therefor I believe it is not necessary for managing OCD to be the primary daily focus during those times of remission. Currently coming out of a full blown relapse with OCD symptoms about 85% reduced (from at their worst) at this point. Went thru intense ERP treatment (5 hrs a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks) and my symptoms were about 95% reduced for a few months, and then I had a major physical health issue. About a month after the health issue happened I realized I was almost completely back to where I started when symptoms were at there worst. Knowledge is power: With this new mindset I have written out for my self and my family a few proactive steps I can taken in the future during times of major life events, flare ups with other health issues, or if they or I notice an increase or reappearance of symptoms or behaviors associated with my OCD struggles. I sincerely believe this approach will help me catch or even prevent a potential lapse in the future, before it turns in to another full blown relapse. Just my thoughts… figured I would share if maybe it resonates with any one else too. 😊 Happy Saturday 🤘

Hey guys. So I just had a pretty big relapse in my ocd, the first one since I started going to therapy. At first it was hard to accept that I had gone back to old patterns, but I’m trying to look at it as a chance to do better for myself this time. A chance to handle it with compassion, kindness and regard for myself rather than the disgust and shame I felt during my first big ocd episode. Here are some things I’ve been doing that have helped: Epsom salt baths- what I’ve realized is that it doesn’t serve me to be anxious all the time. I need to calm my body down so I can feel hunger, and have moments of clarity. And these baths help a lot - the magnesium really helps relax and give you a moment to be comfortable in your body. Remember to eat and drink enough water. Right now, your mind is running wild and your body is responding as if it’s in fight or flight mode- make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Gratitude practice- I know that it can seem really hard to find the positive during a really intense OCD episode. But what I’ve found is that if I make the effort to recognize the good in my life, even if it’s as small as “I had the money to buy myself some epsom salts to take care of myself” or “I’m grateful for that sunset I just saw” has helped me keep my spirits more alive even if my brain wants to pull me into rumination. Crying - let yourself have a release. One thing I like to do is imagine my mom or an older version of myself coming in the room and comforting me. It helps to imagine what you would say to a loved one that just had the day you had. For example: if my head really hurts from ruminating all day - I’ll take the time to drink water and take some medicine. Then I’ll think about what I would say to someone who dealt with the stress, anxiety, and rumination that I just had that day. Well a lot of times (and we want to stay away from reassurance with this) I’ll say to myself “I can’t tell you whether or not your obsessions are true. But I can tell you that I love you and I’m here for you no matter what.” And I find this is a great way of reinforcing your relationship with self as you learn to trust your ability to navigate difficult flare ups. Holding your own hand, being the support you need, can make the world of a difference. Doing exposures in real life. I’ve found that doing exposures have made me feel empowered again, even if that only lasts for a little bit. I’ve found that not planning exposures as much and just going about my life saying “Right now, what would I do if I didn’t have ocd?” Or being spontaneous anyways even if it feels uncomfortable has helped. Look objectively at your day. Are you spending two hours laying in bed in the morning before you get up? Maybe eliminating that or paring it down intentionally will help you reduce rumination. Taking supplements - fish oil, b6 vitamin, vitamin c, vitamin d are all ones I take every day and help keep my immune system up and my brain functioning a bit better. Keep a feelings journal. Staying in touch with your emotions is really important. I’ve found it to really help me break out of ocd as I can say to it “I hear you, OCD. But my inner child is really sad right now, and I’m going to direct my attention towards her rather than engage in rumination.” At the end of the day we can’t help what our brains might want to do. They might want to ruminate, mentally review, make us afraid and anxious and have irrational doubts. But we can control the ways that we treat ourselves, and what we direct our attention towards. May we direct our attention towards the good in our lives, towards care and love and moments of peace, because that will start to being more of that in. You know what they say “What you focus on gets bigger”. And I would say that especially if you are dealing with ocd - you deserve even more love and compassion - and hopefully I’ve been able to give you some tips that might help foster that as well. Feel free to add your own methods of dealing with OCD below. And hey, to anyone struggling through their own relapse right now - I get it. It sucks. But it’s also within your control to make it better - and I believe in you. I’m so proud of anyone out there fighting ocd right now. Fighting for the big, beautiful life that you deserve. Stay strong ❤️ You can do this.

Hello all, I’ve been dealing with OCD for years, and doing ERP therapy for several months to a year, and trying to really dive into doing exposures. I’ve done better with some triggers, and have improved since I first discovered I had OCD, but I still have the almost constant undercurrent of anxiety and I can get so tired. I don’t want to fall into feeling like this is going to last forever, but I also want to be realistic about the chronic nature of OCD. Do you have any tips for how you keep yourself encouraged even after what seems like a long recovery journey?