how do you remain hopeful during dark times? what keeps you going? for me it’s my boyfriend and his optimism. he reminds me that things always tend to work out fine. since i can be so pessimistic, his words are very refreshing.
With it comes to dark times related OCD - for me it's my encouraging spouse, counselor and loved ones. Overall my faith keeps me afloat. I know I would be a lot more of a mess than I already am without Jesus. LOL.
Little things. My 3 year old had stopped most verbal communication for about 6 months and has started speaking again in the past two weeks, because we found out he’s had chronic ear infections in both ears and the antibiotics finally cleared them up. I thought I had failed to protect him well enough from the trauma of his dad’s manic episode. We’re setting him up to get tubes and he starts speech therapy Monday. My spouse has a medication that seems to work and his awareness of his symptoms and emotional regulation are almost back to normal. I am lucky that my family is still whole. I have always been lucky, somehow, when I come out the other side. I will feel that way again soon.
@Bronsautracks that’s so wonderful about your child. i hope his speech therapy goes well! and i’m happy for you too that your family is still whole. ❤️
I'm struggling too. My faith has always been my anchor and since I've been in this storm I can't even concentrate on prayers most of the time. I don't like being alone and facing what I have to do like get rid of stuff in my cluttered room or look for a job so I just run to a friend's house or something. I enjoy it for the most part while I'm there but I just think it's an escape. Not sure how to fix it. I mean I have to do what I don't want to do, but I don't want to do it. Does that make sense? That's great that you have a supportive boyfriend and an optimistic one. If anyone can relate to me. That'd be great.
@Anonymous i also struggle to be alone. and struggle to do what i don’t want to do.
Comment deleted by user
@ocd.is.a.bitch111 my dog passed away last year. it was heartbreaking but i remind myself of just how much we all loved him and he loved us. he lived a great life 💜 i do have a cat though who’s so cute and comfy. sadly i’m at uni so don’t see him much, but when i do, it’s great.
When I’m really struggling I remind myself that even though I’m in a dark place, I’ve already come a long way and shouldn’t give up on myself now. My loved ones are what keeps me going too, bc they always try to be supportive and understanding. Oh and my psychiatrist also gives me hope bc she always has my best interest at heart.
@blazed i’m glad. support is truly everything. and it’s both external (loved ones, therapists etc) and internal (looking out for ourselves).
I just completed a check in with my therapist today so naturally I reflected on my journey with OCD. Summer/Fall of 2023 feels like a swath of darkness. Bombarded with horrible intrusive thoughts, I thought my life was over. I did not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hated myself. Life lost meaning for me and it felt as if every hope and dream was shattered. Needless to say my life was lost to me during a time when I should have been enjoying it the most. I was post grad with a good job lined up. But none of it mattered- my mind was as broken. Thank God, I had some small voice in me that urged me forward and to get help. So I did. I felt so scared and unsure. Was I doing the wrong thing going to therapy? I was not. It was the best decision I made for myself. Fast forward to nearly two years later, my life couldn’t be more different. I see and feel the light. I have so much love and gratitude for myself and for everyone who helped me along the journey. My therapist, my family, all the brave content creators who openly speak about their experiences, no matter how taboo. I won’t lie, it was a lot of work. And I had to learn to be uncomfortable and deal with frustrations. I had to learn to trust myself. I still deal with sticky and intrusive thoughts but my response and my daily life despite them can not be more different. So I am here to be proof to you that there is so much hope. If you don’t have the little voice in you urging you forward, than I will be just that. Go to therapy, get help, put in the work. It is so worth it. Every time there is a setback, and there will be many, push through. Feel free to ask questions! But no reassurance will be given.
I told my boyfriend about the thoughts that ive cheated and don’t remember and someone will expose me. He was very understanding. He let me know that he sometimes got those thoughts but not as severe as mine. He said when im having those thoughts to tell him and he’d reassure me and wouldn’t think any deeper, knowing my mind is just playing tricks on me. He knows that i have bipolar and bpd. Hes only experienced a minor manic episode ive had and he knows that ive gone into psychosis before and had bouts of awful paranoia. He reassured me that he knows that isn’t me. that any action i might take wouldnt be taken as my true self. Of course this doesn’t absolve me of being awful in episodes but reassuring me that he knows i have severe mental illness and he still loves me knowing that there will be very rough parts.
Hey people! Hope you all are doing well. I used to use this app back in time, when I was dealing with many subtypes of ocd, mainly related to my sexuality. But, today, I live a life free of of obsessions, at least in terms of my sexuality. I do think that I still have a way to go to get better in terms of mental health - yet I'm not ruining my life over silly thoughts. When I have time and energy, I will write about my experience and story. But, for now, please know that what you are going through at the moment is only temporary. You will feel good inside your skin one, hopefully very soon. If you need a company or a person to vent to, please let me know! I can listen. I emphatise with you all and send you love. best, caleb
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
