Ahhh Snapchat’s sponsored stories having been doing bad things for my HOCD this month

Ha, honestly same. I've been a bit better lately so I've been able to ignore them or overlook them. But this time last year, if I'd had snapchat, all the Pride Month stuff might have scared the life out of me ? Try not to avoid it, but don't click on stuff just to test yourself. Use it as an exposure to help yourself habituate!

Hi! I'd say firstly - I've been in the bottomless pit stage, but I promise you it does not last forever, and it's worth remembering there's a way out even when you feel like you're at your worst. To help you, I'd say do as much research on OCD and treatment as you can. Don't make it into a compulsion, just see it as a slightly boring homework that you need to achieve what you want (ie recovery). The more you know, the more equipped you are to fight it. If you can find a therapist, do it! If not, at least find somebody you can talk to honestly. I had my parents and a counsellor - they both helped me through the miserable times. Then, you can start on the exposures. Get yourself used to your triggers and allow yourself to let thoughts come and go. That will be insaneeeely hard at first, and it will make you anxious. But anxiety goes away as long as you do nothing to react to the scary thoughts. Don't fight them, don't think about them. They're just thoughts! They can't harm you if you don't get close to them. And slowly...the anxiety will decrease, and the obsession will start to fade. That is scary too - you might feel anxious about not being anxious about the thoughts any more! But then, you'll be on your way to recovery. Good luck ❤

@RayLiVerified Basically as it's June there are a lot of sponsored stories about Gay Pride month, which can cause anxiety for people with HOCD! And also, as Love Island is on at the moment, there are probably also a few sponsored stories about that, with pictures of the guys and girls in not very much clothing... Again, potentially anxiety-inducing ?? OCD really is mad

thank you so much? I’ll update you and I’ll try my hardest, I do agree about feeling anxious about not feeling anxious, I feel like if I start to feel better I’ll get a trigger and it’ll ruin all my work or I’ll feel weird not feeling scared. Thank you so much though?

Thanks Spiral and fantastic advice again! You're right that advertising for Pride month is everywhere. Love Island seems to be everywhere too and even though I don't have HOCD, it's quite intrusive. I think I should just watch an episode so I won't think it's something it's not. Getting out of the bottom is great and for me, the best part is realizing that where I am now is much better than where I was. I think you don't realize the bottom until you're on the way up!

Great advice Spiral! I don't use Snapchat so what are the sponsored stories about that are triggering?

Pride month is a great time for exposures!

Spiral, what would you recommend in order to lead to the road to recovery? I’m stuck in a bottomless pit and in desperate need for advice, if you have any. I’m glad you’re getting better, I’m proud of you:)