OCD and menstrual cycle

My aunt and her family came in from out of town, and we all want to go on a road trip. I was already anxious about it before and now because I got my monthly a couple days earlier, I’m even more anxious as my contamination OCD is always so much worse when I’m on it. I feel like going would be a great exposure for me but at the same time I don’t know if it will be too overwhelming for me staying in a hotel, and just generally coming into contact with all of these germs. I know going will be a great exposure for me, though I don’t know if I’ll even enjoy my time and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone else. Ugh OCD can be so debilitating.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Update: I ended up going and had the most amazing time! In fact, because I felt so care and stress free amongst the beautiful nature there, my OCD was less of an issue there than since April when I started experiencing it. I mostly forgot about all my worries or triggers/compulsions and when I felt them, I didn’t care enough to feed into those thoughts. I miss being there and that feeling of being at absolute ease. If any of you have the chance to go to Yosemite or really any place with surreal nature like that, I would recommend you do, especially for those of us with OCD. Just walking and immersing oneself in the forces of nature is calming for the mind and soul.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

awesome! Glad you went and had a blast!! I agree nature is very healing. Hiking helps me a lot, or even just small nature trails in the suburbs.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Although im not a woman, I also have to use bathroom in a specific way so I get it too. Id suggest all you have to do is remove the hygiene products, throw it away, and wash your hands after. Maybe bring an extra change of pants or shorts just in case. Good luck!

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Go! It will be awesome to stay with family. The worst thing that could happen is you get sick, but hotels are generally cleaned every day so you can take solace in knowing that. You will also have your own bathroom to do your business ect. Just like at home. I am having my first Intake phonecall today, and I know the feeling of putting things off because of contamination fears. But in the end we can only keep pushing forward.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Problem is we’re staying in a tent and we don’t have access to our own bathrooms that’s why I’m especially putting it off lol. So I definitely know what you mean by delaying certain things. I truly appreciate the boost of confidence though, and I bid you the best of luck with your intake phone calls and with everything!

Username: ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...

Date posted: 1y ago

Menstruation makes my OCD and rumination out of control. I totally get it. I agree, it's a big exposure, but I'm sure you can do it!

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

@ReadyForImprovement Thank you for the encouraging words! And it’s crazy isn’t it. What do you usually do to keep it under control?

Username: ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...

Date posted: 1y ago

@Anonymous I haven't figured it out yet, unfortunately. The hormone shift gives me the most intense OCD symptoms every time. The only good thing is that the anxiety runs from the time I wake up and my body runs out of whatever drives the anxiety around 4pm so i have peaceful evenings. The days are hell, but the evenings are blissful.

Username: j

Date posted: 2y ago

Menustral cycle and ocd

I have ocd and ptsd. I guess I need to vent to feel like Im not alone. Having ptsd and ocd is hard. Ocd is constantly trying to trigger ptsd and it’s always ALWAYS bad before I’m about to start my period. My period is about to start this week. I just got back from a girls trip weekend with my family and I’m still extremely overstimulated from that. I haven’t left town since the pandemic started so this was hard for me. I’m sleep deprived and I didn’t eat very well while I was away. I can’t do things like that anymore without proper sleep and nutrition bc my ptsd doesn’t do well. Today is my first day back at work since I left for my trip and I feel horrible. I didn’t sleep again last night bc I had a panic attack. I had racing thoughts and images that made no sense in my mind so of course that triggered ocd and made me panic. My brain found out that bothered me and keeps replaying the same sequence even after I’ve woke up this morning🥺 I feel extremely nauseous and just anxious and so uncomfortable. I know this won’t resolve until my period starts I wish it would just start even tho I’m about to be in a lot of pain. I’ve had so many subtypes in the span of five days I’m having a hard time. It feels like I’m gonna lose control or something… I guess I’m wondering if any of you feel like this when you’re due for your cycle bc periods are so unpredictable and confusing and sometimes scary I’m exhausted

Username: fitnessandbo...

Date posted: 50w ago

OCD on Cycle Days and Days Off

The last couple of days, I have had intense OCD. It also just so happens to be a day I am on my cycle and a day off from work. I am also reducing one of my medications (Seroquel XR), but am still on two other medications (Lamotrigine and Cymbalta) as well as hydroxyzine occasionally for anxiety. Does anyone else have more OCD while on their period or on days off of work? Or has had increased symptoms while decreasing their dose of a medication? Also, what are some tips or coping strategies you use with intrusive thoughts?

Harm OCD

Username: I love bears

Date posted: 25w ago

Question for women with OCD!

I’ve recently been on my period and it’s like hell I’ve been having 3-4 panic attacks each day and I wonder if it’s my OCD getting worse or if it’s my period since I tend to get very sensitive during my week.. do you also go through heightened stress/anxiety when on your period? I’ve notice this happens a lot when it’s my time of the month. I’ve also been very paranoid.

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OCD and menstrual cycle

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