advice / please help - question about OCD recovery

You are never back to square one when it comes to OCD recovery! Think of everything you have learned on this journey. Apply the same techniques you did to the other themes. Try not to ruminate, check, or other compulsions. Just like with your other themes OCD will subside once you start doing the work!

Ughh I know this feeling, like ur not thinking about it but then you think about it and it keeps popping up because you’re thinking if you’re thinking about it. (If that makes sense) It’s honestly awful.

I am sorry that you are struggling right now. I always tell people that they can never go back to square 1. You can never restart from the beginning, so to speak. I know that each time it can feel scary and new but you got this. You have already tackled many themes- this one will be no different. You are not alone and there is so much help available and hope.

Ughh yes! I wake up every morning and check to see if I still have that heaviness in my chest

I’m so happy that you’ve had months free of OCD, it makes so me happy to hear that you’ve had that success. It is SO discouraging when falling into a spiral, know that you can get out if it and manage this! You know what your compulsions are, which is checking to see if you have OCD, you can even challenge it like “Maybe I don’t have OCD! idk maybe I do”. It is common for people with OCD to question is they have it, and when we are in times where it doesn’t bother us at all, then of course OCD will tell us we never had it etc etc. I hope this gets better for you!

Hi Maria, I completely understand how you feel. I’ve had this same thing happen to me very recently. It’s hard to remain calm + remember your skills when you’re anxiety is high. It also doesn’t help that OCD makes you feel uncertain about ~everything~, including whether you’re “correctly” doing your ERP. Here are some things have helped me through tough times: - Reminding myself to stay in the “what is” when OCD tries to drag me into the “what ifs” - “I see my OCD wants me to ruminate or check how I’m feeling, but I don’t need to do that. I will continue doing whatever I’m doing”. - “I can handle whatever OCD throws my way. I may be anxious or uncomfortable, but I can still keep going” - Self-kindness + offering myself the warmth I’d offer a friend in a similar situation. - Journaling - OCD Workbooks - Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast - The OCD Stories podcast You’ve done this before and you can do it again. I believe in you!