Anonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
Sad
Is it possible to even love life again? Or will this guilt/shame/depression be forever?
ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...
- Date posted
- 2y
It'll start to shift as you get into a good flow with daily ERP. You'll have times of day and full days where you feel more like yourself and not carry the active burden of your intrusive thoughts. You'll even sometimes have entire weeks where OCD is fairly quiet! There will be ups and downs... times where you're in an extended blip for a week or two, maybe. That's where I am. I have some good weeks, but right now I have a lot of big changes happening so I'm feeling unsteady and OCD is *thrilled* for this opportunity. Keep pushing! We can all do this, no matter what part of our journey we are in today 🩷
Anonymously0CDAnonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
@ReadyForImprovement Thank you for this. I seem to feel the best at night. I feel like this is pretty opposite to the norm for most people. Seems like morning until about 6pm I’m pretty uncomfortable in my thoughts. I just need to keep plugging away at ERP even when I really don’t want to.
ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...
- Date posted
- 2y
@Anonymously0CD I'm exactly the same way! Our bodies generate the most cortisol (the "stress hormone") when we wake up, so many people find their anxiety worse in the morning. I seem to run out of the body chemistry that generates anxiety by around 4pm most days so my evenings are peaceful and I feel like myself.
Anonymously0CDAnonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
@ReadyForImprovement It could also contribute to me taking my SSRI at 5:30pm. My therapist said it’s kind of odd, but to embrace that time of relief.
ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...
- Date posted
- 2y
@Anonymously0CD Interesting! I take my medication first thing in the morning. Your therapist makes a good point, it doesn't matter why, we should just appreciate it without analysis 🥰
Anonymously0CDAnonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
@ReadyForImprovement I’ve considered changing to morning. I just know what to expect with my current routine and am afraid to change 😂 What medication and dose are you on if you don’t mind me asking?
ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...
- Date posted
- 2y
@Anonymously0CD I'm taking Effexor these days. 225mg. It seems to be ok. I still have issues with OCD, of course, but I really notice the difference if I forget to take it... the next day, my brain is definitely reminding me that I missed a dose.
Anonymously0CDAnonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
@ReadyForImprovement I’m terrified of missing a dose. I hear it’s no fun!
ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...
- Date posted
- 2y
@Anonymously0CD Oh don't worry, if it happens, you just take it when you realize it (unless it's too close to your regular dose, then just resume as normal). I don't experience anything dramatic. I just notice that OCD is chattier or I'm feeling jittery but not quite anxious... I feel off.
Anonymously0CDAnonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
@ReadyForImprovement Okay that makes me feel better!
ReadyForImprovementReadyForImpr...
- Date posted
- 2y
@Anonymously0CD Oh good! Sometimes I'll notice because my anxiety is spiking unusually (like not in response to anything)... then I'm like "oh yeahhhhh, i didn't take my meds". Then I take them. Nothing to write home about... it's just discomfort.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 2y
It will get better with time if you follow ERP. It’s a tough recovery process but it’s worth it please look into ERP therapy.
Anonymously0CDAnonymously0CD
- Date posted
- 2y
@Anonymous I am currently in therapy. Just struggling with finding a good, effective script for my real event ocd
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