I just wanted to share my experience in order to show others that it does get better. I'm not offering reassurance (haha), but a glimmer of hope. NOCD has helped me tremendously, and with medication and therapy I am finally feeling like my old self again. Just months ago I didn't think this would be possible. You can do it!
I have been in an unbelievably crazy fit of ocd since August. The OCD revolves around who I am as a person. It has literally convinced me that I am not a good person. Its lowered my self confidence, self esteem and I have severe anxiety over it. Constant adrenaline rushes, swirling anxiety in my belly, nausea, cant eat sometimes. Its been awful. I just started Lexapro on Friday. I am terrified this has forever changed me and that there is no hope for me to return to myself. How long did it take for your meds to kick in? Congrats by the way!
I had a lot of the same symptoms! I lost weight because the anxiety and nausea over the ocd made me lose my appetite. I can sympathize with how you're feeling! I was feeling like a horrible person for mistakes I've made in the past, it's like it wouldn't let me rest or be content with my life. I started on Prozac in July. I began seeing results after 2 weeks, but it would come in waves of feeling better, and then back to being anxious and depressed. They say it takes time to level out and have a steady stream in your system. I most recently upped my dose to 60mg 3 weeks ago and this has made a world of a difference. If you can find your target dose quicker, that can be helpful. I know you read "3-12 weeks" and it seems so scary waiting so long to feel better, but the ERP in combination with starting meds will help tremendously.
@Carly H I wake in the morning with my stomach in knots. I sob constantly. I get intrusive thoughts that I cant handle it anymore. Its awful. I was terrified to start meds because of the commercials and stuff you see about “new or worsening thoughts.” I dont have room for any worsening thoughts. I have no option though to start it and hope & pray for the best. Taking medicine has always been so hard for me - even Ibuprofen/tylenol so this is a huge step for me.
@Carly H Can you tell me how much weight you lost from anxiety? I've been dealing with it for awhile and ive lost weight as I'm usually only able to drink smoothies during the day and eat at night when normally I would eat lunch and snack during the day. I also started a low dose of Lexapro in December and just went up to 15mg about 2 and 1/2 weeks ago. My dr wants me go to 20mg.
That's incredible that you've taken these steps! I felt that meds was a piece to the puzzle I was missing. I used to wake up like that too! I couldn't fall asleep, and when I did it was for short periods of time. I also had a scare where I thought perhaps my thoughts were getting worse, so I did go the hospital, but they had a great crisis team that helped me through it. I was also given Ativan for the first while to help my anxiety while the Prozac kicked in. You just have to be careful with Ativan because it can become addicting. I'm telling you, months ago I didn't believe I was going to get better. I was getting married, had an amazing family, I couldn't understand why I was having these thoughts when life was so good. I sobbed uncontrollably all day. I wasn't working, eating, sleeping. The changes were subtle, but today I feel almost back to normal. Everybody told me I would get there but it was hard to believe at the time, just as I'm sure it's hard to believe me when I am typing this to you, but you will get there. That's not reassurance, it's just a fact.
Hey people! Hope you all are doing well. I used to use this app back in time, when I was dealing with many subtypes of ocd, mainly related to my sexuality. But, today, I live a life free of of obsessions, at least in terms of my sexuality. I do think that I still have a way to go to get better in terms of mental health - yet I'm not ruining my life over silly thoughts. When I have time and energy, I will write about my experience and story. But, for now, please know that what you are going through at the moment is only temporary. You will feel good inside your skin one, hopefully very soon. If you need a company or a person to vent to, please let me know! I can listen. I emphatise with you all and send you love. best, caleb
Today I over came something that had been consistently bothering me with my contamination OCD and I'm over the moon I never thought I could do it yesterday the anxiety was there but I sat with and it faded I'm so happy thank you for all your support guys and I recently started working out and I feel much better To anyone out there struggling it gets better trust me a few months ago I was at the Lowest point in my life I couldn't even leave my house I failed really badly at school but now I can even go outside I try to socialize some days are harder than others and I've had a few hiccups along the way but it has gotten much better And I'm starting a recovery course for school to make up for my grades I'm so happy guys 😭then I can finally get into uni
I'm struggling with a lot of doubts today, but trying the best I can to keep on living my life 🥲 I'm on 150mg of Sertraline right now, and honestly, I'm feeling a lot better than before. Do I still get triggered? Yes! But I'm handling it easier. The only issue is, I feel like I'm obsessing over recovering? Not if I'm doing it "right," but more so getting to a point where I feel "perfect." That's not possible, I know. Even before OCD spiraled out of control, I struggled with other issues on a daily basis. But life felt simpler back then, and I didn't have this magical (and annoying) ability to remember every single bad thing that's ever happened to me or every single intrusive thought I've ever had in extreme detail 😭 Whenever I'm feeling okay, I can not help but think, "Remember how bad it was (insert time-frame)?" And then my mind zip zaps through every instance I've ever felt anxiety, like...? I don't even know if it's me doing this or if its OCD, but it frustrates me so, so much when it happens. Anyway, that's all for now... If anyone can relate, we're in this together 🤍 Hang in there!
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
