Username: LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

Somatic OCD

Hi, new here to NOCD 👋🏼 I have struggled with what I now know as somatic OCD for the last 3 1/2 years, when it comes to breathing & taking deep breaths. I have noticed that I spend 98% of my day, thinking about it & paying attention to it. I know it’s a normal bodily function but I get the urge to take deep breaths every couple of mins. When I don’t get “a full deep breath”, it sends me into a panic & the intrusive thoughts start.. “what if I never get a deep breath again” “there is nothing I can do to make myself get that full deep breath” “if I don’t get a deep breath, you must not be able to breathe” - sometimes these thoughts & moments totally take over & I find myself spiraling. I feel like all my walls are closing in & my heart starts racing. The panic usually lasts a couple of mins if that but it feels like forever. I’m much better at handling and working through it now than I was 3 years ago, but I still have bad moments & sometimes bad days. At times, I’m able to talk myself through it & I don’t let it take over but other times, it feels uncontrollable. NOCD has been helpful so far, it’s comforting knowing I’m not alone. I’m just wondering if anyone else deals with this type of OCD? Have you found anything to be helpful to deal with it? Thanks in advance.

Username: GregJGregJ

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Hi, I had something similar. I know how scary the thoughts are but when I finally just started to accept the thoughts and even agree with them they lost their power over me. I would think “yeah you’re right ocd, if I don’t think about my breathing I’ll suffacate”. And I would keep doing what I was doing. The thought would pop up again in 10 seconds and I would do the same thing. Over and over again. I didn’t show the thought I was scared of it.

Username: LB0419LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

@GregJ I’ll definitely give it a try. Sometimes I gotta remind myself that I’m stronger than my intrusive thoughts! Thanks for the reply.

Username: GregJGregJ

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

@LB0419 No problem! Remember they are just thoughts. We have no control over them

Username: Ababe8764Ababe8764

Date posted: 1y ago

Yes somatic ocd sufferer here! You are not alone! I have been focusing on my breathing for alittle over a year ago now. It’s been very difficult but over time has gotten easier for me. Honestly the nocd therapist I had changed my life. Hang in there! Like I said you’re not alone!

Username: LB0419LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

@Ababe8764 Thank you!! 🤍 Like I said most days are better than others, but the bad moments/days are so hard 😔

Username: becgohnbecgohn

Date posted: 1y ago

I’ve been dealing with this too a lot recently since the pandemic! I feel your pain and hope we both find peace 🥺

Username: LB0419LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

@becgohn YES, the pandemic is when my first started & hasn’t stopped since. Sending you all the good vibes & prayers that we find the light at the end of the tunnel. Feel free to message me anytime to talk!

Username: becgohnbecgohn

Date posted: 1y ago

@LB0419 Ugh so sorry! Ditto!

Username: Gh Gh

Date posted: 1y ago

Yes I have the same thing. Was playing golf this spring and got shirt of breath. Don’t know why. Went and all kinds of tests done and they said nothing is wrong with me just anxiety. I have problems just about every day. I think I’m shirt of breath and try to make myself breath deep and Lao if mode sets in and I get dizzy and feel like I’m suffocating. It goes away in about 10 min or so and then I’m just wore out all day. Happened today I’m Home Depot. I walked out to my truck and calmed down and went back in and finished shopping. It’s horrible and I hope you get relief soon

Username: LB0419LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

@Gh Wow, yes that is awful. It’s the hardest thing but we got this 💪🏼Thank you, I hope you do as well!

Username: Gh Gh

Date posted: 1y ago

@LB0419 Thanks

Username: Eb0314Eb0314

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Yes I’ve suffered with it years ago and got through it but it has been bothering me recently again so I came to nocd to get relief. It’s pretty early on for me to say what is helping besides calling out the thoughts for what they are (ocd, not a fact) and deciding not to engage with it. It’s harder than it sounds I know and I have bad moments/days where I feel like I am not getting enough air. Mine is linked to social anxiety too. But I try my hardest to face my fears because either way I’ll be uncomfortable. I either avoid my triggers and stay where I am, or face them and feel uncomfortable temporarily. That’s how I remind myself that I’m stronger than this. I hope you get relief soon 💛

Username: LB0419LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

@Eb0314 So sorry that you’re struggling. I try to do the same thing, remind myself that my thoughts are just that.. thoughts! I recently heard a saying “what you give power to has power over you” and I try to repeat that in my head over and over. Some days it’s super helpful, other days the thoughts take over. Thank you for the response, hope you also get some relief ☺️

Username: guavaslice

Date posted: 4y ago

Sensorimotor and checking OCD ~ First post on NOCD. Does anyone else have an abnormal amount of focus on bodily sensations? How do you deal with it? Also the doubt that comes with harm coming to your loved ones if you don’t check something in a “special” way. What helped you the most?

Perfectionism OCD

Username: Ju_1990

Date posted: 4y ago

Anyone have any tips for Somatic/sensorimotor typs ocd? Hyper focus on bodily sensations such as breathing. I find this one often comes back extremely bad when I least expect it. Things like meditation and focusing on the breath stuff really triggers me.

Username: spaghettipuppy

Date posted: 1y ago

sensorimotor ocd with breathing

I keep getting so fixated on my breathing and then it will go away for a few months and then come back when I get stressed. It's just so frustrating I don't even understand what I'm scared of ??? Focusing on my breathing? It just feels like I have to breath manually and I can't stop thinking about it and it's just scary! And frustrating! I want to be in the moment not thinking about a completely normal bodily function! Sorry for the nonsensical rant it's just frustrating! Wondering if anyone else deals with sensorimotor ocd?

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