- Date posted
- 2y
Spiraling Out - Please Help
I think something just hardcore triggered me and I really need help. What do I do? Do lean into this or try to ground myself? I feel like I'm going to pass out.
I think something just hardcore triggered me and I really need help. What do I do? Do lean into this or try to ground myself? I feel like I'm going to pass out.
Take some deep breaths and if you’re currently involved in ERP therapy, try to implement some ERP techniques. Also, I know it feels impossible but it always helps me when I get up and move around, whether it be outside or just around the house. Sending love and light.
It will pass, you can do this.
Use Ice as a Distraction “Grab some ice and either eat it, make an ice pack and place it on your head or chest, or dunk your face into ice water. This helps to distract the fight or flight response (amygdala being activated and making your body respond with cortisol [stress hormone] and adrenaline), and allows your neurotransmitters to refocus on the ‘pain’ response of the ice.” – Christina Powell, LMHC,
Ground Yourself – Literally “Take off your shoes and socks and feel the ground/floor/dirt beneath you. Spread your toes, stretch your toes, plant the soles of your feet deeper into the ground. Notice the temperature of the floor beneath you. Notice the surface beneath you. Here, you are actively and intentionally choosing where to focus your attention, moving away from the overstimulation you may be experiencing due to a multitude of demands/stressors/responsibilities/noise in your life at this moment in time.” – Melissa Barsotti, LCSW, Mindful Therapy Practice 13. Practice Mindfulness Mindfulness, often confused with meditation, also involves being present. While the two are similar, mindfulness does not require a quiet space free from distractions.3 First, spend a few minutes noticing each one of your senses. What can you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell? Spend a few minutes on each sense. Rather than analyzing or judging what comes up, make an effort to be present. When thoughts come up, envision them as passing clouds.
Hi all, First time posting and it comes in the midst of a big spiral and panic. Currently dealing with what we think is borderline existential OCD where I feel like I’ve come to believe that I’m not real, that this is all a dream, that I’m actually a psychotic person walking down the street imagining all of this. Got very triggered yesterday by seeing someone screaming and yelling at what seemed to be nothing. Had a panic attack this morning and just haven’t been a wreck since worrying that I’m going to end up in psych ward, realize I’m actually crazy, etc. Been in NOCD therapy for almost 4 months now and still struggling to sit with the uncertainty, avoid researching, seeking reassurance, and most of all ruminating. Anyone go through something similar and if so what were key tactics you used during these spirals to calm things down and recenter yourself?
I had a really stressful couple of weeks and it's all hitting me right now. I cannot for the life of me shut off my brain my thoughts for a little and it feels like drowning. It's 1 a.m. here and I'm feeling completely hopeless like this feeling is going to last forever. I'm feeling like I can't use the tools I've been given my my psychologist and my meds feel like they've stopped working. I feel like by the end of the end I'm going to lose my mind. I usually am able to find some silver lining but today has been so bad. Everything triggers me and I have really bad intrusive thoughts about dying and finding some peace but I know that's not what I want. It's just so difficult navigating life when your brain works against you. I'm so tired and defeated and I feel like I have no one to turn to, but even that is some form of reassurance and it makes me spiral that I decide actively against it. I just feel like I'm losing my mind and I'm going "insane" from the distress. All my failed friendships and relationships have come back to haunt me and I feel like I can't get out of the house. All my sort comings are layed out in front of me and I feel like I am the worst person in the world and nothing will fix that. I have some real bad thoughts about my friends and family. And I know alla of this is classic symptoms of OCD but even though I know I can't rationalize and come to peace with them. I'm so envious of people being able to lead a normal life without this burden and in my mind it's just highlights all my shortcomings. I've had moments like this before but the last really nasty one was four years ago when I was yet undiagnosed and I really felt insane back then. I was hoping that when this happened to me again I'd be more capable of handling it but I don't think I am. I'm constantly on a battle against my mind and some times I win and sometimes I lose. I'm sorry for the rant I just feel extremely hopeless right now.
I had a really bad nightmare revolving around one of my big themes and I woke up with the panic still left over the dream as if it was real and I kept thinking about the situations. I tried to tell myself it was just a dream, but then it made me question real life. So then it was a cycle of ruminating about the events as though they were real and my reality which really messed me up bc my biggest theme right now is becoming schizophrenic/catatonic/"crazy." I feel stuck in a loop, I've tried saying the "maybes" and even talking to my partner about other things but it just keeps looping in my head "am I crazy?" "I can't differentiate between dreams" "I feel like I'm stuck in my head and I can't even talk". Any tips? I feel like I'm at the crescendo of my 20 years (lifelong) ocd due to stress from moving soon.
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