My OCD Story

@oldin Hi there! Have you tried contacting care@nocdhelp.com? They may be able to give you some recommendations and resources.

I have some good book recommendations that'll walk you through ERP by yourself. You could definitely do it without therapy.

@Christiansg2_3 I would be interested

@Christiansg2_3 What is the name of the book

@Christiansg2_3 I would be interested too for my son

@Catrina449 Sorry guys for taking a bit to respond, here are some books I read for my OCD: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-ocd-answer-book_patrick-b-mcgrath/574236/item/5737289/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_high_vol_scarce_under_%2410&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5fetBhC9ARIsAP1UMgFlUXa5XDPPROhvR3GSrliDgTj1oiRz21o7ZhS0zEunXHGeCL27cgAaAl1QEALw_wcB#idiq=5737289&edition=5255222 https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Personalized/dp/042527389X/ref=asc_df_042527389X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312089933244&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17357039971320080173&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010866&hvtargid=pla-434186043013&psc=1&mcid=46d31c43c6143b07892e23afa15d9ba9&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5fetBhC9ARIsAP1UMgFYcMEhZh8tAFXH6rQVwXRGh-0jSWJu48Y5Ql9kAt1XU6DuCZngqjcaAqjKEALw_wcB https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Workbook-OCD-Overcoming-Compulsions/dp/1684035635/ref=asc_df_1684035635/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508971164345&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17357039971320080173&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010866&hvtargid=pla-945578038031&psc=1&mcid=d421e9f50cc83edca7a03f2a03ff673d&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5fetBhC9ARIsAP1UMgFOdehHZG9xXPq-__HecjTZ5Lg7HxLaiwVy6OxSQq1HnIx73Pz3h9QaAtpJEALw_wcB

@Anonymous I responded, just scroll down a little. Sorry for taking a bit.

@Anonymous I responded, just scroll down a tad. Sorry for taking a bit

@Christiansg2_3 Would you recommend the books please?

@Debbrooks I commented them a little above.

@Christiansg2_3 I scrolled all the way down but didn’t see any more of your posts.

@Christiansg2_3 So sorry, I meant to scroll up! Found them thank you!

@Debbrooks Of course! Hope they help.

@Christiansg2_3 Hi Christian, one more quick question, did you purchase Dr Grayson’s book on kindle or as a paperback? Only reason I’m asking is I wondering if you need to write in it like the workbooks I’m going to order or is it more of a just read and absorb the info book?

@oldin I’m wondering the same as we’re in the same boat and my daughter is so desperate.

@Debbrooks I ordered all of my books paperback. The workbook does need to written. Personally, I like my books in physical form, but it’s really up to you.

@Christiansg2_3 Thank you Christian!

@oldin Definitely look up exposure therapy. That would help. Read books! Don’t let your fears scare you. Go against them!

@Christiansg2_3 Thank you 🙏🏻

@Christiansg2_3 Could you post the books..

@Christiansg2_3 how did you over come your sexual orientation OCD?

@Christiansg2_3 you live near me!

@bootscootboogie You live near Atlanta?

@haydensmith I just tried to allow the thoughts to be there. I didn’t fight them, I didn’t investigate, I didn’t avoid. At the time of my therapy, the sexual orientation didn’t affect me as much as some of the other subtypes. I’d approach it the same way I did for other things though. Expose yourself to things that trigger you, if it has to do with homosexuality, maybe act gay or something that would set off your worries. Then sit in that discomfort. Repeat over and over and eventually, you will begin to feel better.

@Christiansg2_3 how long did it take for the thoughts to go away?

@haydensmith This is probably not what you want to hear, but the thought may never go away & I don’t think that should be your goal. I think you should strive to be okay with the negative thoughts there. This way you’ll be okay with any OCD can throw at you. I still sometimes have worries about my sexual orientation, but by allowing them to be there & not fighting them, I’m okay with it and anything OCD can throw at me.

@Christiansg2_3 yeah but surely over time the thoughts decrease and you don’t get them nearly as often as you used too?

@haydensmith Yes, overtime they do decrease. It was pretty quick after I stopped fighting them that they decreased by a lot. I still kind of get them in waves now, but after I weather the wave, I am free from them for a while. I saw changes in it really quickly though. Maybe 2 weeks after I started therapy I felt better.

@oldin Therapists outside this app may take your insurance. Try to find one locally. You deserve to feel better

"Getting over OCD" by Jonathan Abramovich was used in my ERP course. I think most libraries carry a copy.

@Christiansg2_3 May i ask what those recommendations are I would like to get them?

@Christiansg2_3 What are your book recommendations that will help walk me through ERP on my own?

@Christiansg2_3 Tell me book names

@oldin I had this problem too! They said they took my insurance and then told me last minute that they don't.

@Christiansg2_3 It's been a while since you made this post, but would it be possible for me to get some book recommendations as well?

I have been really loving CBTschool.com, she (Kimberly Quinlan) has some paid stuff, but lots of free podcasts (Your Anxiety Tool Kit -- also covers OCD) and blogs, and a free thing if you give your email. Also, Shala Nicely is a rad lady and I find podcasts that she is on to be really helpful and relatable and hope-instilling.

@Christiansg2_3 I’d like that as well please

@Christiansg2_3 The Imp of the mind is also a great one too!

@Taylorrrr She posted them further up @Catrina449 Sorry guys for taking a bit to respond, here are some books I read for my OCD: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-ocd-answer-book_patrick-b-mcgrath/574236/item/5737289/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_high_vol_scarce_under_%2410&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5fetBhC9ARIsAP1UMgFlUXa5XDPPROhvR3GSrliDgTj1oiRz21o7ZhS0zEunXHGeCL27cgAaAl1QEALw_wcB#idiq=5737289&edition=5255222 https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Personalized/dp/042527389X/ref=asc_df_042527389X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312089933244&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17357039971320080173&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010866&hvtargid=pla-434186043013&psc=1&mcid=46d31c43c6143b07892e23afa15d9ba9&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5fetBhC9ARIsAP1UMgFYcMEhZh8tAFXH6rQVwXRGh-0jSWJu48Y5Ql9kAt1XU6DuCZngqjcaAqjKEALw_wcB https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Workbook-OCD-Overcoming-Compulsions/dp/1684035635/ref=asc_df_1684035635/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508971164345&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17357039971320080173&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010866&hvtargid=pla-945578038031&psc=1&mcid=d421e9f50cc83edca7a03f2a03ff673d&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5fetBhC9ARIsAP1UMgFOdehHZG9xXPq-__HecjTZ5Lg7HxLaiwVy6OxSQq1HnIx73Pz3h9QaAtpJEALw_wcB

@Christiansg2_3 There's nothing wrong w being gay. And most people are somewhere on a spectrum

@Christiansg2_3 Thank you!

@Christiansg2_3 - would love to hear your book recommendations

@Christiansg2_3 - would love to hear your book recommendations

@Christiansg2_3 I would like the names of the books 🙏

@oldin Same Oldin. My insurance isn’t taken either and avoided the app process and call at first but after it kept coming up I clicked and went through the steps. Turns out I don’t have the right insurance to get help. I’m about to search this app tho and get all the help I can find in vids and articles. I really want to be 💯 for my family.

@Christiansg2_3 What’s the name of the book

@haydensmith Yo how has your journey come?

@Christiansg2_3 Hi, what book do you recommend for OCD panic and anxiety?

@Christiansg2_3 Hi, i know you said this post a while ago but I’m struggling right now on the whole exposure therapy - for example mine is specifically health related i believe i’ll become ill in many circumstances which is highly disruptive in my life, what could be an example that i have to expose myself to and how does it work, e.g say i have a very bad headache, and suddenly my mind goes straight to that dark place where i believe i have a tumor, what do i do then, just sit with the thought? if i sit with the thought i’ll start panicking?

@Christiansg2_3 Please advise the books- nocd doesn’t accept my Medicare & supplement :(

@oldin Hey there fellow OCD sufferer, there are mental exercises I have to do all the time with my OCD thoughts, I talk with myself in my mind and say “ these are just thoughts, I don’t have to give them meaning or power over life! ❤️. Sometimes I have to say it 10-20 times for me to really feel comfortable again and escape panic. But I love you and hope you bills the tools in your mind to overcome this pain! ❤️

@Anonymous Talking to myself helps me too

@Christiansg2_3 What are they. I have patients that don’t have the insurance NOCD accepts I often refer to Nathan Peterson videos.

@oldin Nathan Peterson videos on you tube. I find him through NOCD. He’s great

@Christiansg2_3 What book do you use?!? I’m interested.

@Christiansg2_3 What are the names of the books please

@Christiansg2_3 Thanks for sharing I feel the same

@Minde - I just wanted to share what worked for me in couple circumstances I had with two of my doctors. I have Medicare and Medicaid because I am disabled with multiple sclerosis as well. But if you happen to have Medicare and Medicaid if any sort... And if say, you had a dual hmo or PPO you can separate the Medicare and Medicaid or the Medicare and private insurance if dual or other .. and make Medicare your primary you would have to see how much they would cover and how much you would be responsible for.. them you can see if there is any programs in your area helping with medical needs or bills or if there is any monies in a grant in your area that you could tap into. Allot of the time there are these little helps and we aren't told of them unless by chance we go searching or ask.. crazy stuff.. I am called resource lady in my area only because I by calling in life have a homeless ministry and somehow by the grace of God always find without even really looking.. I get all sorts of resources for multitude of things and try to pass them along to help others be empowered and advocate for themselves and others. Hope some of this helps you or someone. Be blessed

@Minde - I just wanted to share what worked for me in couple circumstances I had with two of my doctors. I have Medicare and Medicaid because I am disabled with multiple sclerosis as well. But if you happen to have Medicare and Medicaid if any sort... And if say, you had a dual hmo or PPO you can separate the Medicare and Medicaid or the Medicare and private insurance if dual or other .. and make Medicare your primary you would have to see how much they would cover and how much you would be responsible for.. them you can see if there is any programs in your area helping with medical needs or bills or if there is any monies in a grant in your area that you could tap into. Allot of the time there are these little helps and we aren't told of them unless by chance we go searching or ask.. crazy stuff.. I am called resource lady in my area only because I by calling in life have a homeless ministry and somehow by the grace of God always find without even really looking.. I get all sorts of resources for multitude of things and try to pass them along to help others be empowered and advocate for themselves and others. Hope some of this helps you or someone. Be blessed

@Christiansg2_3 can I please get the book?!

@oldin NOCD YouTube videos are awesome and coned most types and sub-types. NOCD YouTube channel is amazing

@Christiansg2_3 Jesus Christ loves you!

@Christiansg2_3 Will it be possible to get the PDF format of the books you recommended ??

@Sunnjeep Like... The young man is really good. I have to say

@Christiansg2_3 I would be interested in the names of those books

@Christiansg2_3 I’ve pretty much done it without therapy for 40 years. I started having symptoms when I was in elementary school around age 8, give or take. I had incidentally done my own form of ERP. I had no idea about OCD when I was younger and barley learned about what OCD really is. I’ve put it together and figure that’s what I have had ask these years. It was private most my life with thinking I was just weird. I’ve had and have many mental compulsions and some outward compulsions that have come and gone and come back. I think I may have other conditions comorbid with it as well but not sure. I’m being treated for bipolar symptoms with medication and I suspect I’m ADHD and/or autistic. Not sure. Just getting symptoms treated. I was on clomiprimine that I didn’t give a bet long chance for bc I thought it was making me spacey. I think I need to give it a try again. But yea OCD is a tough one and cause ask kings of self doubts as well as imposter syndrome in so many ways.

@Anonymous I really need therapy that specializes in OCD

@thespirit84 Thanks for sharing. That sounds very difficult. I am around 30 and don’t have children but I can relate to a number of the things you mentioned. One thing that I wanted to mention is that I have a very similar category of dreams. It happens to me a lot but I struggle to wake up, so I keep falling asleep back into it and then sleep longer because the sleep I got was so restless. My partner finally left me this past couple of months, so they have gotten worse and I don’t have her to wake me from them anymore. Over the past couple of years I have done what you mentioned, stopping interacting with people for some of the same kinds of reasons. I have spent so much time trying to get help or help myself or fix myself but now am alone and without enough work to survive and with a sleep disorder that just keeps getting worse with the stress. I sleep too much but don’t get good enough sleep because of the nightmares and because of the fear I have before and after I sleep. Anyway, I apologize for making this reply about me…I mostly wanted to say I empathize and I hope it gets easier for you.

@thespirit84 Wow. Sorry to hear that. I hope sharing helped you in some small way.

@thespirit84 It’s never too late to get help!! Reach out to NOCD and they’ll be able to assess you. If they think you have OCD then you can get to work on treating it right away, if they think it’s something else they’ll be able to direct you to the right resources. Please don’t continue to suffer. You’ve been through a lot, you didn’t ask for any of this. You deserve to live a happy life.

@thespirit84 Furthermore, I had insomnia for about 6 months. It’s started to get better the last few weeks. I felt I was going insane. Sometimes the problem is the want to sleep so badly. It becomes an obsession like any other.

@thespirit84 Actually Mirtazapine helps with sleep. Maybe talk to your Dr. about going back on it.

@thespirit84 I’m sorry that you are dealing with that. I had insomnia too after starting Zyprexa and stopped it. My dr put me on mirtazapine and then Trazadone (sleep Med) and Lamictal (mood stabilizer). The sleep Med helped me to sleep and then I was able to get off of it. Oh she had me take benedryl and Trazadone. But I was able to get off those two. Not sleeping is hell. ~ Tell your primary care about your OCD. Take a Yale Brown test and show them the severity of your suffering. They can refer you to a therapist. Get help my friend. There is always help and hope for a better tomorrow, heck a better today. Best wishes ♥️

@thespirit84 I feel you!!! I am on about 4-5 medications for severe OCD and severe depression but I barely dream and sleep 12-17 hours a day. All this medications makes me so drowsy but I need to take Lorazepam in order to get a proper nights sleep. I barely dream, except for after 12 hours (and they are for very brief dreams) but I cherish those dreams as I have lost many important loved one’s. That’s the question…… does medication really work for severe severe OCD (I have had two brain surgeries for it too). I have been on all the medications (30+ plus experimental medications too) for everything and nothing seems to work. I’ve done extensive CBT and ERP’s but my silly OCD and Depression Brain is resistant. Anyways, thanks for sharing and I hope you have found medication that helps and also helps you sleep and gives you pleasant dreams. Mike from Canada :):)

@thespirit84 Thank you for sharing that. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Try taking magnesium before bed. It’s a supplement so it doesn’t have the bad side effects of medication. It can help with anxiety and it makes me sleepy. Also, it makes me dream. I joke about it and call them “magnesium dreams” because I pretty much always have a dream whenever I take magnesium before bed :)

@thespirit84 The Wellbutrin is causing the insomnia it happened to me too

@thespirit84 Omg this made me so Sad. I’m so sorry you had such a traumatic life. How could a mother ever say such horrible things about their own child, is beyond me. I hope things are much better for you now. I hope you have peace in your life and your talking to you children, family and friends. Good luck to you. ❤️😢

If you haven't alreasy community acu would help insomnia. Cymbalta is helpful for ocd without insomnia

@thespirit84 Bless you. Reading your post literally made me sit up in attention. Ive never heard anyone explain they experience so many things similar to what I struggle with. I pray that you find healing.

@1Anonymous1 In Chinese it sounds like “beautiful dreams”😝

I'm so incredibly sorry that you've been through so much. It's heartbreaking. I'm so glad you're doing better with the obsessive thoughts. I truly pray that your sleep will get better. 🙏🙏🙏

@thespirit84 I’m sorry to hear about this! I really hope you feel better soon! Have you tried EDMR or EMDR (I forgot which one) I heard it helps with trauma and I think you need to fix the problem from the root cause which is what you went through as a child. I think once you get help with that, it will be easier to deal with anything else you are going through because it is stemming from the trauma

@Joey_867 Amazing! It is so great to hear that NOCD has been part of your journey!

Each week is another chapter of discovery. Hopefully everyone gets better.

@Beevs I am in Canada and I have paid over $200 a week for many years for therapy with little success. I’m new to NOCD and I am hoping it helps. Thanks for the positive message

@blacksher96 Hi there, you can sign up by clicking the therapy tab!

Same for me

@Anonymous Yes, I wish the same. NOCD is a breath of fresh air and truly a life saver for those like us who struggle with OCD. I'm changing insurance in March and idk if it'll be covered so put of pocket would not be feasible for me. Even a 30 min session would be around $100 for me and I definitely can't do that weekly. Maybe once a month I could. But I know some need 1hr weekly, so I would love to see NOCD become more widely known so people don't have to suffer because I'm sure we all can relate with how hard it is trying to find a therapist who's trained with erp and ocd treatment.

@Anonymous I am so sorry to hear you are extremely suffering with OCD. Do you have support and/or a therapist who is experienced in ERP?

@Minde Yeah, I do…the homework is structured right and everything… I feel as if I don’t know what to do on my own, when these triggers arise. I genuinely fear that somehow I’m slowly shifting towards being gay or bisexual when I don’t want to. It’s like there’s this voice in my head nagging me down till I just quit. I never had a desire in my life to be with another man

@Anonymous That is great about the homework! I would definitely share these concerns with your therapist so they can help you know what to do on your own. It is certainly not easy on your own, so please don’t be discouraged.

@Anonymous how r u now

@Anonymous - this is exactly similar to what i’m facing. i’m hoping it goes away

People don't turn gay. Queer person here. You make choices and just as you don't act on all your thoughts in regards to heterosexuality neither do say ppl.

@Anonymous What?

@Breeanna Drew Sadly, we would all like a fast fix but it doesn’t exist with OCD. It takes time and a lot of work. The actions you describe here are compulsions and are only going to feed and reinforce the disorder until it becomes severe. Starting treatment as soon as possible is imperative.

@Anonymous I have had severe OCD for 27+ years and I am new to the App. I am hoping it will help

@Hanging in there Keep on fighting!! I feel the same struggles in Canada

@Mikey_Mike Thanks for your comment man, I really appreciate the camaraderie-you keep fighting the good fight up there too! But I do feel a need to add that it would be nice if the NOCD founder, whose post I was actually replying to, commented as well, wouldn’t it?

@missymiller Good question I’d like to know too! I attribute my sound sensitivity to autism

Hey! If you're an Oklahoma local, you should consider attending the OKC for OCD walk this September! Sadly, Oklahoma is such a bleak place when it comes to OCD advocacy... I want to spread the word in our state! Check it out :) https://support.iocdf.org/OKCforOCD

@Stephoonie I relate to this

@Anonymous So proud of you for taking the courageous step of therapy! I wish you the best on our journey!

@readabook1000 I have this type

I do. Or also, I can't do things I might enjoy or bad things will happen. I've had both experiences. I have to do random sometimes humiliating things to not let bad things happen or I can't do fun things.

@Caitlyn Abate Omg really? It is comforting to know someone else has these horrible thoughts and that I am not alone. I am sorry you go through this to through.

@@Crawfish9 I relate to this.

@Anonymous So proud of you!

@Kendall:06 You okay?

@Eviejg I have so much hope for you! Dive in deep and really go for it! ERP works. I am 62 and am freer than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m so incredibly grateful!

@Anonymous how r u now

@haydensmith I am doing well how about you

@Anonymous i am suffering, my brain won’t stop telling me i’m gay, it’s horrible and i just want it to stop but it won’t.

@haydensmith Oh no I would let your thoughts just come and go. Thoughts aren’t who you are. If you have a therapist you should make an ERP around that or you can attend one of the support groups

@haydensmith I’m so late to this. Do you lean into this thought? What statement do you tell yourself when this thought comes up? How do you get unhooked from the thought and shift yourself back to what you are doing in the moment that is values based?

@Anonymous Hi there! Stephen found ERP effective treatment for managing the OCD fears. Do you have a therapist that specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?

@Anonymous Thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry you are struggling with this on a daily basis. Do you have support or a therapist that is specialized in OCD?

@Fazal Naqvi Thank you for sharing! You can email care@nocdhelp.com for information about resources and treatment.

@GazJones79 This is so great to hear! Thank you for sharing!

@Anonymous Hi there! I’m so sorry to hear NOCD doesn’t take your insurance. You can check out https://iocdf.org/ under “Find Help” for other options.

@bmozingo Life is hard, please tell your Granddaughter to keep on fighting!! It will get better. I am up here in Toronto, Canada and have suffered for so many years with OCD and Depression. Life will get better, I promise. I would love to visit California someday

@Mikey_Mike I’m from Southern California originally and I lived there for 26 years but now I’m in Southern Oregon so if you ever ever wanna talk California I’m here

@iraqi-dentist86 Hi there! Our team would love to help you on your journey to manage OCD. Getting help is one of the most courageous steps you can take. You can schedule a free 15 minute call to get more information about NOCD therapy. https://www.treatmyocd.com/

@Debbrooks I agree! I’m here in Massachusetts and I am on WellSense insurance (Medicaid), out of work since COVID, and NOCD does not take my insurance so I’m paying everything out of pocket. Stephen Smith please work harder with insurance providers to get NOCD covered. There are thousands of testimonies and celebrity endorsement(s). I myself have found the therapy I receive invaluable! I have OCD, anxiety and hoarding behaviors. Good luck to all during their NOCD journey and thanks for reading these posts!

@Anonymous @Anonymous I am sorry to hear your son is struggling so much. You can email care@nocdhelp.com for more information about therapy and support groups. Or you can schedule a free 15 minute call https://www.treatmyocd.com/. We would love to help!

@Anonymous It really sounds like you need to extend more compassion toward him rather than just trying to fix his behavior