Sitting with the ick

I am having a super hard time sitting with the ick today. I always go into it with the best intentions to resist my compulsions, but sometimes I start doing them without even realizing I’m doing it. My biggest anxiety right now is getting my second COVID shot. My OCD has convinced me that it will be fatal for me, that I will get heart inflammation or some other severe side effect and die. My compulsions are to research all about myocarditis from the vaccine and what the rates are and how many people have died from it, etc. when I do it I don’t feel like I’m doing a compulsion, it feels like I am gathering more information to make the correct decision but I realize that it is all compulsions. I am trying to sit with the ick and not look anything up but it’s so hard!! Does anyone have any tricks on resisting compulsions?

Health Concern OCD

Username: Cassie:)Cassie:)

Date posted: 1y ago

I completely relate to this. It’s so hard when legitimate information seeking that other people can engage in in a healthy way is a compulsion for us with Health OCD. My biggest piece of advice is to choose a distraction (i love coloring books) and when the thought you will die arises, say outloud “if that happens then I’ll handle it then” . I know that’s scary but try to not reassure yourself. (Btw want to make it VERY clear i am pro vax AND fully understand your fear)

Username: vmcgeevmcgee

Date posted: 1y ago

@ccas6 Thank you for your reply! I will try to do something constructive and not argue with that thought. You’re right it is scary but I will really try not to reassure myself. I am also pro vax, just very scared to take the risk lol. Thank you for the advice.

Username: Cassie:)Cassie:)

Date posted: 1y ago

@vmcgee You can do it. I believe in you

Username: vmcgeevmcgee

Date posted: 1y ago

@ccas6 Thank you for your kindness!

Username: Disko Disko

Date posted: 1y ago

I don’t have any tricks BUT as someone who has struggled with a cancer diagnosis I can 100000% relate to this. I get stuck in a black hole not even thinking it’s OCD. And then I rely on the internet for information to make me feel better over my doctors who are telling me I am going to be OKAY. I recently went through treatment and for three days in a row I had to go get injections and each day I was sitting there having a panic attack that something bad was going to happen after the injections. I looked up all these possible side effects which was my own fault. I’m young and healthy otherwise and half those side affects are older unhealthier people!! I guess my biggest advice is to just trust your doctor if your worried about the shot maybe just let them know what your worried about and hopefully their answer can ease your mind. Best of luck friend🤍

Username: vmcgeevmcgee

Date posted: 1y ago

@Disko Thank you so much for your comment!!!! Yes that’s exactly what happens to me, I get stuck in a loop of looking up the side effects and thinking I will get every single one. I talked to my cardiologist and they recommended me to get it and of course said severe side effects are extremely rare, which may make another person feel better but not my OCD brain lol. I am going to get it, I’m just having a hard time resisting googling, etc until then. I am trying my hardest though!!!

Username: Disko Disko

Date posted: 1y ago

@vmcgee I totally understand. Although hearing that didn’t make me feel any better either I hope this can. The injections I needed had a very rare side effect of stroke and I was NOT having that. The one nurse was super helpful with my nerves and she sat me down and told me you don’t know who got that shot it could have happened one singular time to someone who already had pre existing medical complications that can cause strokes. But one ONE time they are obligated to cover their ass. Your cardiologist isn’t reccomending anything for you where you would truly be at risk for what you are afraid of any person dealing with these side effects most likely had previous heart problems and probably shouldn’t have gotten the shit to begin with.

Username: vmcgeevmcgee

Date posted: 1y ago

@Disko Ugh that’s so great you had a nurse like that to help you out! I do have a heart issue but I have it monitored every year and I think my dr would have advised me to stay away if she thought it was an issue, hopefully anyway lol

Username: Disko Disko

Date posted: 1y ago

@vmcgee 10000%!!

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Yes I can relate! Health ocd here too. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes it’s nice to know we are not alone.

Username: Miro

Date posted: 3y ago

The hardest thing about ocd treatment is to stop doing the compulsions. I have "pure O" and I do alot of mental compulsions and I've been doing them for a long time and I got used to them. I don't even need to do anything or expose myself to anything to trigger my anxiety. The thought can just pop in my head and I start getting anxious. I know I shouldn't be giving them attention or engaging in them but sometimes I feel it's too hard and I just can't resist. Can anyone give me any helpful advice?

"Pure" OCD

Username: LifeGoesOn

Date posted: 2y ago

Sitting with a thought, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. The physical effects of not giving into a compulsion are not often spoken about. Nausea, headaches, weakness, rapid heart beat, cold shakes (all a result from anxiety I assume). Any recommendations to aid this? I’m really trying not to give in 😕

Username: Anom321

Date posted: 1y ago

Finding it impossible to sit with thoughts

I find it very difficult to sit with thoughts or just let them be there especially when my OCD is purely based on mental rituals. For example, if I try to let a thought (that is causing me stress) come into my mind it’s almost impossible for me to let it sit there without my brain automatically trying to solve it or gain relief. It’s as though my brain does this without me really realising - probably from years of training it to do this - I’m just wondering if anyone knows of any other things I could try? I think this is why I find ERP quite difficult as I really try to let the thought sit there but my brain automatically tries to solve it no matter how much I’m trying…

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Sitting with the ick

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