How to calm down during new OCD manifestation?

The other night I was with a friend and we were laughing and messing around with this shirt clamper thingy that sinches the waist of oversized clothes. Tired, I put it on my eyes jokingly as if I could “Sinch my face” but it gave me this feeling that my OCD has been playing on repeat. I think that this ties into some overarching character my OCD likes to play: a fear and want to control the way my body sits and moves at all times. I’ve experienced obsessive physical compulsions in many painful places, but never in my eyes to the extent I am now. It’s like I got this feeling that if I don’t hold my eyes exactly the right way, they might roll in and make me appear scary and deformed. I know it’s stupid, and irrational, but because it makes me feel afraid I think it’s playing on repeat and I want to isolate because of this new anxiety. Any tips on how to calm ourselves down when we are scared of developing new OCD manifestations? I have been doing well and I am scared.

j.aurelia

Date posted: 1y ago

The best thing to do is to trust yourself. You think you’re doing well so truly believe that

ImStillTrying

Date posted: 1y ago

@j.aurelia Thank you, sweet person <3

Anonymous

User type: Staff

Date posted: 1y ago

https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/the-importance-of-self-compassion-when-you-have-ocd You got this. Have you done any ERP to specifically address these types of compulsions? I think that would be incredibly helpful. If you would like to learn more about ERP for this, our Care Team will typically begin with a free 15-minute call to discuss treatment, answer any questions you have, and book your first appointment. Please feel free to schedule a convenient time that works best for you here: https://learn.nocd.com/scheduler I know that when I was younger I had a similar experience where I felt the urge to constantly suck y stomach in a certain way and it would physically hurt, I didn't necessarily have a thought behind it, just that it felt like I needed to do it. It was a hard one to stop for sure. But eventually, I realized that I just had to get through the feeling or the urge and it would eventually let up. Hope this helps.💛

ImStillTrying

Date posted: 1y ago

@Stacy Quick It means a lot to me that you’ve taken the time to not only speak to be about your own experiences, but offer some resources to help. I’m happy to hear you’ve found a way to work through some of your own intrusive feelings and thank you sincerely <3

Ellen_l

Date posted: 15w ago

Advice?

I’m having a big OCD relapse and would like to hear anyone’s tips on how to be present and healthily deal with these intrusive thoughts and the “need” to preform compulsions. Thank you!!

Anonymous

Date posted: 14w ago

How do you stop OCD before it starts

So maybe the title wasn't the best to to put it but when you guys start having obsessive thoughts how do you stop them before it turns into compulsions and anxiety?

Kammy

Date posted: 12w ago

This is draining

I started dealing with OCD when I became fixated on health issues, particularly the fear of contracting a life-threatening disease. If I experienced any kind of medical symptom, no matter how small, that even remotely hinted at something potentially fatal, it would drive me crazy, and I couldn’t stop obsessing over it. Then one day, I started having intrusive thoughts about accidentally hitting someone with my car, and I would end up driving in circles to check if I had. Eventually, I found myself overwhelmed by a flood of new obsessive thoughts and compulsions. One day, while I was at the park, a squirrel came near me, and for some reason, I felt like it attacked me. I Googled it and learned that squirrels could carry rabies, which spiraled me into a deep fear of rabies. I became consumed with the thought I received a bite from a squirrel, raccoon, or bat any time I’m in areas that trigger me. It started off only being inside then transferred to even being in my own home. This made me obsess over every physical sensation in my body, compulsively checking to make sure nothing was wrong. One compulsion that I hated the most would to be putting rubbing alcohol on me to make sure that I had no open wounds. Every day feels like I’m walking around in a fog of anxiety, constantly worrying that I won’t even make it to old age. Sometimes, it gets so overwhelming that I just want it all to end. It stresses me so bad at times to where my brain feels like I’ve been studying all day.

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How to calm down during new OCD manifestation?

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