Hi friends, I have recently been diagnosed with OCD these past few weeks. It all can feel really all encompassing and overwhelming. And almost like I’m completely at the bottom of the mountain and still realizing so many things I have dealt with were actually OCD. Does anyone have any advice or things they wish they knew in the beginning of starting treatment? I appreciate you all and the community. 🖤😊
Morning, I remember reading that it can get harder before it gets easier. It’s been that way for me. It took years for me to begin ERP and I have a lot of things to work on. It takes time. Everyone is unique so it’s different for everyone.
@Anonymous I truly appreciate you. I have dealt with this my whole it differing subtypes that ebbed and flowed as I got older. This is my first time with ERP. I was always told it’s “just anxiety” and “why can’t you just let things go” or “why don’t you trust me already”. Felt super invalidating because I know in my brain I trust this person or very much so but the thoughts still persist and needing reassurance that never stuck. Even from a traditional talk therapist and then being like well if you can’t trust the things I say we’re not a good fit which brings in shame and guilt
be kind to yourself!! you might not feel like anything is changing, but keep working towards your goal and you’ll make it❤️sometimes it feels like you’re learning who you are all over again, but you’ll find that you’re not different than you were, you just understand yourself a little better, you got this!!❤️
@littlemiss.sunshine I don’t know if people can relate but at times it feels like “ I’m going crazy”
Hi! It can be very overwhelming. I can relate. I would say two things — 1. You’re embarking on a journey. Try your best to embrace the novelty. Try new things to get out of your comfort zone. Make it fun. It can be small too, like buying a different brand of something at the grocery store. Just mix things up. My therapist suggested I do this when I first was diagnosed and it was helpful. I didn’t realize how ridged I was living. 2. There is no “perfect” recovery. You WILL stumble. You WILL encounter roadblocks. You WILL get through it in your own way and in your own time. It won’t be perfect. That’s the point! 3. Learn about ocd, erp and attend support groups! You don’t need to do this alone ❤️
@Anonymous I appreciate you so much! I would love to find ways to make it fun. I’ll have to think on ways to do that. Thank you for the tip. And the overall encouragement because it does feel isolating. I think the learning part has been super helpful. It makes me feel seen and not so “crazy”
Don’t chase the story of how you got to this point. Just be glad you figured it out. I’m living proof this therapy thing works. I was suicidal 6 months ago. Now I know I’m capable of doing hard things. I actually seek them out now. I sucked at ERP in the beginning too. It takes time. Be patient. ❤️
@Ghostdog Im so glad it had that impact on your suicidality. Yeah ruminating on the past is easy but doesn’t help the forward. And you’re so right I feel SO much relief I figured it out and that has been a huge take away from me this past week. I need to work on patient it’s so easy to just want to poof your symptoms away.
@Ken! Poof would be nice. I’m glad you are doing well. We all have bad days. They typically don’t last. Just stick with the ERP. I do it daily now. Sometimes 2x a day
i experienced the same feeling. I am focusing on the most blatant compulsions and just observing the side behaviors that are revealing themselves right now. I will decide later if they distress me so much I need to work on them too. You can do this ! 💕
@gixmo So true about the side behaviors and that’s what’s getting me like omg there’s so much I’m doing that I didn’t even realize. I need to adapt that mindset and just one thing at a time. And not try to predict. You can do this too!
Just know that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed in the beginning. Getting the diagnosis is a big moment of clarity, but it can also be scary, as it’s the start of your new journey working through it. Especially as you start connecting the dots between behaviors/thought patterns and your OCD. Be open and honest with your therapist. Learning to sit with uncertainty is hard and uncomfortable, but it’s so worth it. If you struggle, take things one day at a time. You may not feel or see progress right away, but know that as you continue to do the work, things will get better in the background before you realize. You are stronger than you know and more than what your OCD will tell you. ERP is absolutely worth it. I wish you luck and I hope you continue to post in the forum when you need support. This is a great community.
@Anonymous I also recommend joining the NOCD support groups-they’re wonderful.
@Anonymous Thank you this touch my heart so deeply, I couldn’t have said it better about the relief of clarity but also really terrifying. Connecting the dots has also been scary it feels everything I do is a compulsion that I had no idea about. I will definitely not give up on therapy no matter how hard it is because I really want and need to get better. Thank you for the validation to post when needed. The sense of community I already feel is overwhelming I went from feeling so isolated to now having a bunch of people who actually get it. I’ve signed up for two support groups. Excited to attend them!
Last night I had the worst panic attack I have ever experienced and was having some very graphic intrusive thoughts. I am new to this OCD community as my therapist has thought I have had it for a while but confirmed today that that’s what I am probably struggling with. I am on some pretty intense medication related to my misdiagnosis’s and feeling lost about where to start. I wish I didn’t suffer from these thoughts and that I could live a “normal” life. How does one start living and not surviving ?
To the ones who have been working with their OCD for awhile now and feel somewhat experienced in handling symptoms, I have a question… If you could go back in time and tell your younger self (pre awareness of your condition) one thing, what would you tell yourself to help with your condition? I have no means to treat my OCD, and only have just joined this app and acknowledged my condition and my, now, desperate need for help. Anything will help and I honestly am needing some sense of community to feel less alone. Thank you for everything!
How did others do after first getting diagnosed? Did the diagnosis cause you to spiral initially? It feels like all the symptoms have become so much worse since, maybe because I am noticing them and focusing on them. I have been stuck on looking back through my whole life but now through an OCD lens and it’s been incredibly overwhelming realizing how much OCD has impacted me my whole life. I had previously assumed all the symptoms were part of my having ADHD and Autism, but I am now realizing a lot of my struggling was actually OCD. I’m 45 and I was diagnosed with severe OCD a week ago. Tomorrow I start ERP and I’m quite anxious about it. I feel pretty unfixable at this point, but I’m trying to be hopeful. I have my doubts that I will be strong enough to do this.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
