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I think things like stress, lack of sleep, etc can trigger flare ups

You’re right it happens all the time. But try to look it this way: are your flare ups as worse as they were in the beginning? Is the time taken for you to recover from a flare up still the same? In my case the flare ups do occur but are less intense and short lived than before. In a way wanting to not have any bumps or flare ups is like trying to control experiences, which is a subtle compulsion. We can never achieve the state of mind we had before our OCD diagnosis. Because with OCD things are different and they definitely always get better. So try setting your recovery as an improvement. It’s not black or white.

definitely have asked myself this exact same thing. but i’m gonna have to agree, i personally think ocd gets triggered from ongoing stress and lack of sleep like @anonymous said ^ i feel like in general the onset of my ocd symptoms began from stress, during a time where i was younger and didn’t know exactly how to cope with anxiety or stress, then i began doing OCD habits / compulsions, and they would help me feel some kind of satisfaction, relief, and control. I notice that when things are going pretty good and smooth sailing then i tend to be fine. but then when my anxiety is triggered from stress or whatever the case, my ocd also begins to flare up. but sometimes it’s hard to exactly to discern because there are times where i feel like everything is still smooth sailing and my ocd still gets triggered. i’ll ruminate on things, do compulsions, etc. ultimately just sharing this all in hopes of you finding some comfort in know that you’re not alone in having these same questions.

Thank you everyone ! Just yeah felt great for weeks still feeling ok.. but at the same time feeling bleh kinda down.. the theme is rocd right now.. doubting my gf loves me or is gonna leave me and she didn’t do or say anything to suggest that .. lol for no reason.. just getting thoughts and ideas . I know it’s all bs which is why I feel some what ok.. but st the same time the ideas of what if or thoughts of you are annoy me.. especially (like I said ) after feeling just fine and completely forgetting about even going through mental struggles .