What has helped you?

Keep doing the things you love or start doing them again 😊 if you like to paint, paint. If you like to read, start reading again. Personally, I lost so many things to OCD and getting them back was really helpful for me. It might be hard at first, but it gets easier

A really good one that helps me is simply to call an OCD thought out when I have it. So I’ll think or say something like “Nope, that’s an OCD thought.” This simple thing has helped me wonders!

Staying busy. I don't do well with idle / unstructured time.

I am so glad that you will be seeing a therapist, please make sure that whomever you see is well trained in OCD- this is so very important. Ask lots of questions. Meanwhile, if you haven't already, I highly recommend downloading the free NOCD app with lots of resources and tools. You can also check out the IOCDF website for more resources. If you are interested in learning more about ERP therapy with NOCD, 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 use the OCD.app to help readjust my thinking I read : -Pure (a woman’s experience with her OCD) to not feel alone -Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts (a good step my step of why OCD thoughts latch, it keeps it general and applies to the general population too) to understand the biology/process -The ACT Workbook for OCD to learn how to live by my values rather than my believe my thoughts and feelings -I took Nathan Peterson’s ERP course to learn the basics from an ERP specialist -I use mindfulness and journaling to empty my mind and remind myself that I am not my thoughts or feelings -I exercise even when I don’t want to because it’s a value of mine -I call my friends and family when I don’t want to because it’s a value of mine -I engage in games and art when I don’t want to because it’s a value of mine