Partner comes home from overseas tomorrow. I usually feel excited but now my ocd is cutting in and saying I don't deserve to feel excited. I know I've got to let the thoughts come and go, but this is too intense I'm shaking and my chest is burning with anxiety. Instead of being a happy moment, I'm going to be anxiety ridden. I hate OCD...
I know it's hard. Are you doing ERP therapy? If so, try to sit with the feelings until they pass and don't reassure yourself or ruminate. They WILL pass if you don't engage them. I'm new to this too but it's working so far. Try to stay present and focus on what you need to do before they get there - sleep, eat, any preparing for plans you have with them. One moment at a time. ❤️
I just started my ocd therapist a few days ago, so I'm not doing any ocd treatment yet. I'll try what you said and thank you for the suggestions. What do you mean by don't ruminate?
@Nate_093 Hi sorry I just saw this response. And I realize saying "don't ruminate" is like saying "just don't worry." Not very practical with no tools. Ruminating is when we go over the same thoughts in our heads over and over and over or analyze the situation to death. The alternative is sitting with the anxiety/uncertainty and learning that certainty does not equal truth, that it's a feeling but a fact. You'll get tools in ERP for this.
What OCD is saying does not represent you ( I know you know that). Let yourself experience joy. Please do not let OCD ruin your genuine excitement and happiness. Obsessive compulsive disorder is complex and may even make you feel anxious in anticipation, knowing that it may bother you with obsessions/compulsions tomorrow, but you have gotten through this sort of stuff before and you can do it again just don’t give up and give yourself a chance; your true self. You can do it. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Mauro, that means alot. I'll keep at it, one day I'll find my peace.
Hi , I totally understand your feelings, you are too anxious and picnic to feel excited when your partner comes back, you could do something you want with your anxieties and fears, never do anything to relieve the annoying feeling, trust me, the feeling will be weakened slowly
I hope so, I get scared that this will never go away... it's one of my greatest fears at the moment
@Nate_093 That is also an OCD thought. ❤️ Just know that you are allowed to feel excited AND scared at the same time. Or even JUST scared. I know you’d rather have only felt excitement but sometimes OCD pops up and we have to deal with that as well. It really sucks. But it helps if you give yourself permission to be anxious, or even to not be excited at all. Feelings aren’t everything. They are complex, ever changing and temporary. You’re still excited to see your partner even though you may not FEEL it. Please don’t put extra pressure on yourself to feel a certain way. Give yourself permission to feel however you are feeling rn. This isn’t your only shot at happiness. More happy moments will come. ❤️
@hen7 Thank you for being there for me, that made alot of sense ❤️
@Nate_093 I have had this experience a LOT. One really bad one was when I went on a holiday I’d been looking forward to for months. Only to be there and be a ball of anxiety. I struggled with that for a few days until I talked to my mom and realized I had this huge expectation that I had to be super excited and non-anxious (something that’s basically impossible for me on holidays, period) all the time. The moment I realized that my expectations of myself were sky high and I gave myself permission to feel however I was feeling was the moment I felt so much better. Still anxious, but that’s ok. I at least didn’t have that huge pressure on myself anymore.
@hen7 Yeah, I have high expectations as well. It doesn't help when I've had times in the past that were absolutely perfect and I just want then so bad again.
@Nate_093 Totally understand. Focus on beating OCD for now, that’s the main priority. Then the feelings will follow.
@hen7 Thank you for the help, it's much appreciated.
@Nate_093 You had better consult with a therapist, although we could provide emotional support here, you could be diagnosed with the type of OCD by a therapist
@whoisbin I've got real event OCD 100%. I've had OCD for pretty much as early as I can remember and I'm now 30 lol. Support is perfect for me right now, thank you!.
Hey guys! My boyfriend has said recently that he doesn't know if he's strong enough to continue with our relationship because of my OCD. He wants to see me overcome my symptoms and learn to live a healthy life with OCD, but my anxieties and obsessions are starting to really affect his life. I understand his reasoning, it's hard to see someone you care about struggle with OCD, especially when it starts to affect you too. I'm asking for tips to deal with my compulsions in the relationship. I HAVE to know the answer to things and sometimes that leads into arguments because even with apologies and discussions I can't let things go, even if they genuinely don't matter or are miniscule issues we have. It's a healthy relationship otherwise but I feel horrible because it's impacting him so negatively, that's the absolute last thing I want to happen. I care for him deeply and he cares for me too, so I don't want my OCD to be a reason we break up but I fear it's headed in that direction. I'm starting therapy soon, but until then what are some things I can do to stop my ROCD from impacting him? I know sitting in the guilt and anxiety of not completing my obsessions will help, but I'm wondering if there are other things I can do to maybe remedy some of the damage already done.
I haven’t posted on here in a few days because I was feeling better but the past two days I’ve climbed my way back down the rabbit hole it seems. There’s this guy that I’m interested in and he seems to be interested in me. He keeps calling me pretty and how he’d like to meet me (he’s friends with my friends but I haven’t met him properly yet lmao) But I keep getting thoughts like “you’re not interested, you like women” and so on. I was feeling giddy about the whole thing up until two days ago where everything just seemed to shut off like my attraction, excitement and so on. I can’t believe I’m going through this again and I’m really trying to accept the thoughts but it’s so debilitating as I really want a bf but my brain keeps passing through thoughts that I do not want at all. Does anyone relate? Or have any coping strategies to help?
I’m experiencing anticipatory anxiety related to OCD. I have an important trip in 7 weeks and travel triggers my ocd. My feelings are just a dull ache in my belly constantly, and a jittery feeling. I’m confused about the actual obsessions. I used to have harm OCD that sprung from a travel incident years ago and ever since then, travel has been very fear inducing. I get the physical symptoms then my mind starts going hard. I ruminate about whether or not the stress will cause intrusive harm thoughts which in turn causes some intrusive harm thoughts. It’s very confusing and hard. I want to be someone who enjoys traveling and experiencing new things. I want so badly to enjoy this trip. Any advice helps. Thanks.
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