Ugh.
I’ve been having panic attacks daily this week, and don’t even want to ask my fiancé for support now because I still feel like my OCD, intrusive thoughts, etc are all indicative that I’m a bad person that doesn’t deserve sympathy, or help.
That's really good that you've realised the belief that OCD feeds on "I'm a bad person" Honestly the weirdest and best way to respond for me is "Thanks" Thanking your ocd puts you in a place of Non-resistance. Just like someone that's picking a fight. It doesn't work if you just agree with everything they say. It might seem counter-intuitive but see if symptoms are going away after a week of doing this.
Love what Todd James said about saying, Thanks... using non-engagement responses can really help us with those intrusive thoughts that scare us or make us feel bad... Ok, brain... thank you. Or heres my OCD. Or so glad your here lets have a lovely day together... And then just move on with being present. I am sorry that you are having panic attacks. They really suck. What is your body trying to tell you? Are you avoiding asking for support? Are you ruminating on the panic and then it is bringing on more panic? What does it mean if you are a bad person... is that the root or is there something under that that needs acceptance? What can you do for self care to release some stress? Remember to have some compassion for yourself and what you are going through. OCD is hard, but you are stronger!
@littlebird Thank you for sharing what you are going through. I am sorry to hear you are struggling. Try to remember that thoughts are just thoughts not facts; and they do not define who you are. If you try to just push these thoughts out of your head, they probably will just increase. Instead try to let yourself just sit with the thoughts without engaging with them. I love Todd’s suggestion of responding to the thoughts with “thanks”. I think that is a great way of acknowledging the thought without engaging with it. Are you in therapy with a trained OCD therapist or NOCD? ERP (Exposure Response Prevention) therapy is a treatment method for OCD. It has been a very helpful tool for me with addressing my OCD. It’s helped me to gain tools to deal with my thoughts and obsessions. If not in therapy, please consider reaching out to NOCD care team for a free consultation.
@Lisa LeeLou I am in therapy with a NOCD therapist! That’s been helping a lot.
Thank you for sharing. I know it can be so difficult to ask for help- but please know that we all need support and help. We don't always have to be the strong ones. It is not a sign of weakness. I am hearing this a lot lately, people with OCD, feeling that they are bad or they should be punished. This breaks my heart. This is an illness- not a choice- not a moral problem- you have an illness. Please, please treat yourself with kindness and love, and grace. You are deserving of love and kindness.
That’s great!
I'd recommend Awaken Into Love on YouTube, for ROCD it helps tremendously. That and ERP , of course.
Hello, 3 weeks ago I experienced something that triggered horrible intrusive thoughts. I have been having 5-10 panic attacks every day. I can't leave the house and haven't been able to work. My relationship with my girlfriend is in distress as she has 2 young kids and doesn't understand what I am going through. I feel so alone. It wasn't until last Monday that my psychiatrist identified it as intrusive thoughts and now I am realizing how many other OCD symptoms I am having. I can't eat from my anxiety. I am so so sad. I just feel like this will never end and I am going to be in this black hole forever. All I do is worry about losing everything and everyone I love because of this.
I asked for reassurance from the stranger I was having what if thoughts about. I feel crazy. I feel like I’ve failed, I couldn’t handle the unknown. I’ve been fighting so hard for no reason it feels like. I feel kinda gross too. Like asking for reassurance and going through all of this alone.. without my boyfriend knowing anything. He has no idea I struggle so badly. He has no idea of the panic attacks and how hard I’ve been fighting. I wish I could just be freaking normal. I’m 25 and have little to no mental stability when it comes to ocd. I feel like I could break in half at the drop of a needle.
These past couple days, Ive had 2 huge panic attacks in a row. I’m getting worried because they were kind of the worst theyve ever been. I couldn’t function at all and if my partner weren’t with me, I’m afraid I wouldnt have been able to move or get up. I was convulsing and couldnt stop having the worst intrusive thoughts. I was so disappointed in myself that I started having super intense suicidal thoughts and couldn’t speak. I really hate ocd. I ruined some of the most fun days that were planned out in a trip too. Idk what to do anymore
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