Date posted: 2y

Recovery

Is it fair to say that there aren’t that many posts about recovery from OCD because those that recover see this discussion board as reassurance/compulsive? And recovery includes removing themselves from positing here? There just doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of posts re people’s recovery experiences. - how bad they were - how they came to accept their theme as irrelevant - how they battled “is this really ocd?” - tips/tricks that worked for them - common issues they had whilst going through treatment?

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

I was thinking the same thing. I would consider myself to be in recovery and this is the first time I’ve been on this community page in weeks. Lots of us including myself use it for reassurance seeking which isn’t helpful. Here’s a little bit of my story: I struggle with SOCD and it just came all of a sudden one night when I was around 15 yrs old and hit me like a freight train, but I didn’t know it was OCD. It came and went over the years but it came back again recently and this time around I finally decided to get help and got diagnosed. It was really bad, I was totally convinced that I was gay and that in some way, and some how I didn’t really love my wife and that I have been lying to myself for my entire life about who I liked. I’d wake up in the night covered in sweat, I lost weight because I was so worried I couldn’t eat. I was suicidal at one point. But I’m in a much better place now. And I only got there by putting in the work. It’s taken me a long time to really understand how to do ERP, but it’s helped me quite a bit. I’ve come to realize that I can live my life the way I want, regardless of the thoughts my brain creates, and they don’t mean anything about me or who I am. That takes time and practice. So give yourself time and patience. It gets better! I still get the thoughts, but I just blow them off and say “yeah whatever” and move on with my day. The more weight you attach to them, the more threatening they become.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Scott328 Yes I try that also! I have minimal anxiety but I keep getting false attractions which makes it way more believable that I’m bisexual.

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous But they’re false right?

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Scott328 Idk :( they feel so real … I’ve had this theme like twice before and they went away and now it’s back. What if I’m using ocd as an excuse :( I identified straight all my life … i don’t even have anxiety so im so confused. I constantly recite im straight and even then it feels so wrong? Idk 😫

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

I totally know how you feel. I’ve gone through the exact same thing! Like exactly! It really does feel so real, but that’s one of the symptoms of OCD. Try working on acceptance. You don’t have to accept the thoughts as being true, but just accept them as being there and feeling the way they make you feel.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Scott328 I try :( I never had a crush on any girls but my brain is starting to normalize it and I’m so scared I’m gonna be bisexual and not straight. I can’t date a single guy now without feeling weird …. And like a fraud. I really wanted to get married and start dating. But any girl I see I instantly get false attraction. Idk. I’m in therapy but idk how it’s gonna work

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous So sorry you have to go through this. 😞 I weep with you, because I’ve been through it just as many times. I can tell you that therapy is really gonna help! And life gets better. My OCD started when I was 15. I thought I’d never get better, and never like girls again (I’m a dude), but i still did, after ocd went away each time. And fast forward until now, I’m married, and have a son and I couldn’t be happier. It’s everything I wanted in my life. And I’m grateful to God for it. I wouldn’t be here without him. Hang in there. Put in the work and pray for strength. You’re gonna be ok.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Scott328 If I do erp for bisexuality won’t that start normalizing that I am in fact bi and I like woman? How did you deal with false attraction? I had it twice and now it’s back :(

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous ERP does normalize the thoughts being there. And then when you refuse to respond to them, you gradually begin to see them for what they are. Just thoughts. They don’t mean anything. ERP causes them to feel less threatening and you sort of develop this response of like “yeah whatever” and then proceed on with your day. Then later on, you realize that those thoughts didnt make you any more bi or whatever it is and that they were just baseless, meaningless thoughts after all and that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous The key to ERP is the response prevention part. The more you respond or analyze the thoughts in any way shape or form, the worse they’re gonna get. That’s why the “yeah whatever” response is so helpful. You’re not analyzing it, accepting it or trying to make it go away, you’re just acknowledging it’s presence. And then move on with your life! Your values and morals! Do what you want to do.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Scott328 Yes I try! But I’m still getting those weird attraction towards girls. Being bisexual is trickeries cus it’s both genders. I’m attracted to men but it’s so confusing. What if I’m actually bisexual? I’m happy ur doing better :( how long did recovery take you

Scott328

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous I’m still going through it and still in recovery. Some days are good and others are bad. I just take it one day at a time

Dreamydream

Date posted: 21w

Harm ocd recovery stories

Hi - I’m new here but I’m going through this right now and was wondering if anyone can share their harm ocd recovery stories and what your experience was like. Thank you (:

Harm OCD

Dreamydream

Date posted: 19w

Journey to recovery…

To the people who are in therapy and on their recovery journey when the ocd is tending to die down a bit is it normal for the ocd to keep switching themes until it fully dissipates? Has anyone experienced this?

Harm OCD

Holl1

Date posted: 15w

OCD

So I’ve noticed that my OCD has calmed down, I’m getting less intrusive thoughts but I feel more uncertain than ever. Is this normal for recovery?

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