Getting a Support Group

I cope (not so well all the time) but when I can cope I try to really find what makes me feel free of the added stressors in my life I.e. work, family, money. I dive into art even if I’m not great! I’ll put on music maybe have a glsss of wine shut the door and start sketching. I’ll even go to the beach! That’s my favorite spot where I feel like I can be free and I’ll bring a good book, even when it’s cold! You can always depend on people unfortunately and it can get really frustrating. I think that’s the first barrier to overcome is excepting that a lot of people don’t wanna hear it or not or aren’t there to talk to I would just try to focus on whatever truly makes you happy and if that means journaling, hiking, etc. I’m sorry for what your going though. I have had only one person in my life who I can briefly talk to one person once in a while about things I’m going through, especially regarding OCD and it is very frustrating for them and they don’t understand so I keep it at a minimum. It can feel really lonely, however, really leaning into Helping yourself feel relief and making yourself happy is going to be the key here

I don’t have a big In person group of people to be a support to me when I am having a more difficult time Also. When I feel like I need some support I attend one of the support groups here at NOCD. The people there do understand, even if their ocd may be a little different than yours in the way it presents. I find others support in these groups & shared ideas of things that may be helpful in the moments when ocd is at it’s worst, to be very helpful. And just that they can relate & they get it & sometimes someone will share how that get that & share a little of their story with it, or they will share what has been working & helping for them. An idea to try for someone else. That’s the thing with ocd, different skills work better & worse for different people. You have to find the ones that work for you. With the support groups here at NOCD they also always have some sort of ocd specialist, an ocd therapist, or someone who has been through this journey, just like we are going through, & is in recovery & has joined up to help others get there. So there is that there is someone to help in guiding the conversations & supporting us with their own ocd journey & now as a therapist with their knowledge. Some of the support group facilitators are people, therapist now, or advocates who also have been exactly where we are & they have a knowledge that can be shared with us in ways that aren’t reassurance seeking, a big one of mine, & that are not going to be done in a way that will make your ocd worse. They have the training & the knowledge to help in these ways. I don’t always click with every supper group. So if I am having a particularly rough day or evening, I try to find one regardless of the particular topic & to anyway. Because I never know, I might get something out of it that will then help me in my areas of Ocd that I struggle with. I have been known to jot some little notes down & tidbits of information while I a sipper group. My memory is not great when I am struggling with ocd, depression or just anxiety & so I jot down little things that are said that resonate with me or sound helpful possibly. So I will give them a try to see if it is a skill that might work for me. I hope this helps. It’s just my take on it. I have been here with NOCD for about a year. Only diagnosed last year after 40+ years of not understanding why my brain seemed to work differently than most people I know. Now I know though & I want this recovery. I have good days & but so good days. But I keep getting back up again over & over. I will keep doing that until I get there for myself.

We can talk here with one 2 one if we want

I'm here too if you need anyone to talk to and I understand since I been through that as well. Sometimes even loved ones will get overwhelmed or they may not understand how OCD works so they'll say something like "just snap out of it".

I’m married and even when I told my husband I was talking to a therapist he wanted to fix me. Ugh don’t think so. I use the abide app every morning. It’s free and it gives you peace.