Hi All, the intrusive thoughts have been really sticking today and I feel so tired of this constant battle. I've been doing ERP for a month but haven't noticed decrease in anxiety level yet. I'm afraid that I will give up the fight and end up committing suicide. I wish I could get a break and feel some relief.
Do not give up! You are not alone. It does get better. What has helped me is to acknowledge the thought as a thought but realize that it is not “my” thought, it’s an OCD thought. An example would be: triggering intrusive thought happens In your mind acknowledge the thought by saying either internally or out loud something like, “oh there is that thought again, I have heard that one before” By acknowledging the thought and not trying to block it or push it away, your mind does not hold onto the fear that comes with the thought. The more you do this, the less powerful the thoughts become and you will have them less and less. I know how tiring the thoughts can be. It can make you just want to throw in the towel but don’t let OCD win. It’s not who you are, it’s your brain tricking you. I struggle too but after years of dealing with it, I personally know it does get better
I feel that. I have been suicidal in the past so I get really scared. But when I get bad, I try to just take a minute slow down and breathe. I try to focus on taking care of myself and being gentle. Life can be hard and battling OCD is even harder. Helpful videos I have seen on YouTube are Nathan Petersons, restored minds, and OCD recovery. I think some things that have helped me is trying to get to the core fear of the OCD and anxiety, and trying to feel feelings and not push them away. Anxiety rx is also a good book that's more anxiety focused but helpful. I've been doing ERP for about 2 months and my OCD comes in waves. But remember you are strong and can do hard things!
Sure! Just don't go down a rabbit while of research either. I've had to put limits on myself because it definitely becomes compulsive. Honestly mine shifts quite often. I'd say I struggle the most with harm/suicidal, losing control, and real event. I am also just realizing I have struggled a lot with sensory motor as well (I'm really hyper aware of bodily sensations).
I may have meant somatic OCD. I think they are the same but I'm not sure 😂
Hi there, thank you so much for getting in touch, I really appreciate it. I will check out the resources that you've mentioned too.👍 Can I ask you what type of OCD do you have?
Today I just feel like I'm at my worst trying to beat the compulsions. It just really hurts, after I have made progress I still get this episodes where I start believing all the intrusive thoughts. It feels like I am carrying a mountain of nothingness, just problem solving without a problem, rumination all the time. I'm trying my best to stop the compulsion, but today I relapsed. I'll come back to do ERP when I'm feeling better. On top of all that I'm really fighting my porn addiction, it's a lot of weight, but I'm doing good so far.
I struggle with suicidal and harm ocd, which have been unbearable and came back into my life. The whole month of July has been living in a nightmare, I'm starting to feel very discouraged I started erp but I feel like I'm getting worse. These intrusive thoughts are very scary and the urges feel even worse. I can't stop ruminating at all that's my only compulsion, and I'm worried of losing control and going crazy as well. I want to be happy but I'm focusing on these thoughts 24/7 because of how real they feel. 🥺
I need a different perspective on this. I feel like I'm being run through the ringer. I'm doing what I can to avoid reassurance and not avoid triggers but I get triggered every day. I'm trying so hard to sit with the panic and the horror but it's so hard. It gets to the point I feel physically sick. Is there anything that I can do to help with this? I feel alone. I don't feel strong, I feel like a punching bag. Why is this so hard to master? I really want to know it gets easier. I've been suffering from POCD that has evolved and gotten worse and worse over the past eight months that has been torturing me multiple times on a daily basis and I feel like I'm drowning. I want to run away and hide because my life feel like it's seconds from being ruined. Please, please tell me this gets easier. That this ERP therapy will stop making me feel like I'm dying. The small moments of victory feel so brief only for me to get hit with another wave. There is so much uncertainty over such a horrific thing I feel ill. I feel afraid to be alone with my mind. Please if anyone out there can please give me tips on how to handle ERP. One moment I think I'm finally beating this thing and the next it's got me pinned and I'm terrified my life will be ruined. I want my peace back, I need help and I'm doing everything I can to resist compulsions but I feel so alone and dirty and disgusting. Please help me. Thank you for any advice 💕
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