Any help is appreciated

@Clem.99 I’m Muslim, but that’s can be a solution as well. What exactly are NDE? I don’t want to look it up and get further than where I am now. Plz explain. What’s helping me is knowing that I’ve had this in the past, got through it and lived happy for years. I tell myself everything was ok fine and normal for years when I wasn’t having these intrusive thoughts, and now what’s changed…. Because I’m thinking about them again. Fine when I’m not, and not fine when I do.

@Nate S NDEs are near death experiences. They tend to be more agnostic in nature so they probably won't be super comforting. I was more agnostic when I went through this. I would say lean into your faith but Id be cautious about it becoming compulsive. Do you have access to erp therapy?

@Clem.99 I do not, but I have been considering talking to a some counselor that my work has for us to talk to for free. But the brochure they gave us said topics like, depression, anxiety, divorce. Stuff like that, I’m worried if I open up about ocd or what I’m going through they won’t understand and make things worse. Been ready a lot about therapist or counselors that don’t know much about OCD and make it worse. I heard vitamin D is very helpful to natural boost your mood as well

@Nate S I'd def recommend talking with someone who is a specialist. It's true, talk therapy can make it worse sometimes and unfortunately people who are not knowledgeable in OCD may misinterpret it. Exposure and response therapy is the gold standard because it teaches us to sit with the discomfort, rather than preform compulsions which worsen OCD. You can also find lots of information on YouTube about this. It feels like going against every instinct, but the way to get better acknowledge the thoughts are there, but not engage with them. Some daily habits I've found really help with OCD is sunlight for sure, but also sleeping enough, eating balanced whole foods meals, daily walks, exercise, and journaling.

@Clem.99 I am definitely going to try and reach out, just hope it’s to the right people. I don’t have a support family that I can turn to for help. If I tell them anything they’ll say I’m crazy and look at my different, which is what no one needs. I am definitely going to try eating good and working out because that’s what a lot of people have been saying helps.

@Nate S I feel you. My family is very unsupportive as well. It sucks so bad. Def seek someone who's a specialist in OCD and works with mostly OCD clients and uses ERP. that should ensure you find someone qualified to help you. Best of luck! If you are having a hard time, you can also use Chrissie Hodges service. She is able to recommend an OCD specialist for anywhere in the world (her service I believe are $100 USD). You can find a link to her site via her Instagram and YouTube I think.

@Clem.99 Thank you so much for your help. I really really appreciate your quick and informative responses. I’m so glad I’m not the only one that has this and that helps me not go 🤪. I’ve done it before and with gods will and guidance I can do it again. I wish everyone a long and happy life and no ocd.

@Nate S No problem!! I know how it feels to go through this, it's the worst. We will make it through our OCD! 👊

@Clem.99 Can we continue to communicate if we need each others help throughout our journey? Idk if this app allows dm or friends but I really feel comfortable with the way you explain things and I can help you just as much.

@Nate S I don't think it has DMs but that would be okay! You can always just comment on this post? and I'll get a notif

@Clem.99 Sounds good, again thank you. I really appreciate a lot

@Nate S Np!!!

@Clem.99 Are you able to talk on here again?

@Nate S Yes what's up

@Clem.99 Have you ever had these intrusive thoughts that keep jumping around. What I mean by that is like it’s a new thought that my brain goes “sike, you thought you were ok, what about this…” then it goes into other bs like “what if we in a dream, coma, illusion, alien abduction, simulation…” like your thoughts just keep jumping around to continue to make you worry about shit. Honestly I’m worried I’m gonna loose my shit, I don’t want to hurt a single soul and when I look at myself I look nuts because I’m not getting the best sleep, anxiety is through the roof and haven’t even been eating that much. it’s so annoying and debilitating. Worst thing is it’s the existential and harm ocd together that feed off each other, and I know what it’s trying to do, and make me act up on people I care the most about, just trying arguing with it all the time. Anyone else or is it just me? And

@Nate S Yes, OCD will always find a loophole or a new imagined horrible fear that makes you think "oh I never thought of this, this is the worst one yet". It will always morph or bring up things you didn't consider to get your attention. It's a trap, like all OCD. The best we can do is practice non engagement responses, mindfulness, and Erp. I know it feels like going against every instinct but we have to not answer OCDs questions. One thing that helped me with existential OCD, was even if X (ex were in a dream or coma), what am I gonna do what that? I can't do anything so may as well enjoy the ride as I was before OCD turned it into a question. Unfortunately answering OCD questions leads to deeper imagined fear feeling real, and more questions. We get stuck in a haze where anxiety is on 1000 and we're anxious all of the time, and cant think of anything but the OCD fears.

@Clem.99 *what am I gonna do about that**

@Clem.99 What are some good erp techniques to help with this then. Also someone else said it might be pure ocd so I’m not sure

@Nate S That is 100% pure OCD. Erp would be exposing yourself and not letting yourself do the compulsion. That's how we teach the amygdala it's not a real threat and it's OCD. Everytime we answer OCDs questions, we communicate to the amygdala (basically the fear center of the brain) that it's a real threat worth reacting to. Problem is the amygdala does not understand logic so when we try to logic our way out of OCD, we end up fueling it. Try some non engagement responses like "maybe, maybe not." "Could be, or not. Only God knows so I'll put my faith in Him." You can also respond with sarcasm or inflate the question. But we often find this difficult. Try also to delay your compulsions. When OCD asks you a question you feel like you must answer, answer it in 10 mins. Or 2 hours. I've found this also reduces anxiety.

@ErinTram How do I do that? Only way I know is on comments

@Nate S Well, I’m not sure lol I thought there was a way to do it I guess not