- Username
- Anonymous
- Date posted
- 5y ago
Now that I think about it... my OCD has always flared up during big changes in my life; when I’m moving, starting studies or finishing studies, starting a new job, etc. That’s when the intrusive thoughts and anxiety usually become stronger. Also when I find myself being bored and demotivated, my OCD tends to flare up then as well.
Agreed. Writing down and preparing yourself can be an excellent way to remind yourself. To quote G.I. Joe, Knowing is half the battle, so being aware of life changes coming up could potentially be a good way to prepare yourself for the inevitable anxiety coming up. Another technique we can apply is dealing with the Anxiety BEHIND the OCD. Anxiety is a close cousin to OCD and they are usually best friends and show up together so alot of techniques that apply to Anxiety have been helping me with dealing with this stuff. In dealing with anxiety, there is something called "content. "Content" is whatever thoughts you may be anxious or obsessing about at the moment of your OCD loop or anxiety. Thing is as long as you give in to responding to the Content, OCD and/or Anxiety win. That's their turf. You are in their homecourt. However, if you recognize and deal with the anxious feelings and stress BEHIND the content and not the content itself. Then you could deal with the anxiety more effectively. This youtube series I've been watching has helped me a ton with a few of the techniques behind it. It is a super informative series and It has helped me so much. As I usually say don't take anything on the internet as 100% true. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqts1uGCm468oPTFWkQ4Ewb4tMUrKYqOC I would love to hear more about some appicable techniques everyone else has come across so please keep them coming. :)
My psychologist has told me the same thing. It usually pops up during times of stress or high change. Some people who have ocd eventually see it as a stress indicator. However that being said, I would never take anything said online as 100% fact so I would say discuss with your therapist and find out their oppinion on it.
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts and ressources ! It definitely helps :)
I cannot give you a certain answer, since I am not a doctor or psycologist. However, I am also affected by OCD.. it came last year when I was ending an important period in Paris before moving on. Moreover, it came back since July that I am waiting to move on again to a new city (bigger adventure and responsibilities). So I feel you. I am sure we will all get better once we start!
Think you for your answer ! It seems that OCD might appear as a protective mechanism, because it's "easier" for the mind to obsess over something than to face the big uncertainty of life when we feel it stronger... Just some theories, that help to distance myself from thoughts and reconnect I think
So then here's my questions for application. 1. What techniques do we use to remind ourselves it's stress flaring up as OCD when life changes come? Also how do we curb boredom and demotivation? Reason why I'm asking is I also have ADHD which is great when you are focused on something you love, but you can find yourself quickly switching to other things when you feel distracted, bored or not motivated.
I think it could be useful to write it down somewhere, when we know some changes are coming. As a reminder that we can be more sensitive to intrusive thoughts at these times...
I am not familiar with ADHD, don't know if I can help, but I try to plan things (seeing friends or even something very small like going for a walk), just to have something to look forward to... though it is very tricky because OCD usually does not approve...
I wonder how culturally dependent OCD themes are? Like 50+ years ago I doubt as many people obsessed over whether they were trans or gay. Or what about before commonplace hand washing? Perhaps the themes are specific to a context. But the thought process behind all OCD themes is the same.
Does anyone else have their OCD latch on to specific items. What I mean is there are times where I will have an intusive thought and it won't bug me at all, I can let it pass down the stream. However, other times an intusive thought will attach to a certain action and that intrusive thought from that specific time will play over and over. For me then the compulsion is trying to do that item while not thinking that thought it ruminating and trying logically to overcome it (I know OCD doesn't follow logic). However, other times that same thought it can pass through. As I'm typing this I think for me the aspect and the attachment to the event is a worry that I'll remember it due to remembering the event. There is an uncertainty that I'll have to live with that memory forever and it will forever alter my life and/or the relationship regarding who the intrusive thought was about (someone in my family, etc...). That similar theme plays out not just with intrusive thoughts, but with more of a moral scrupulousity. It's not that moral or unmoral act that's typically in question, but the idea that the memory will plague me for the rest of my life, so I can't move forward and enjoy life until things are "solved". I recognize the uncertainty in the above, but it's not like I feel it about every circumstance. OCD can be weird and I guess it's just it's sneaky way of keeping me coming back for more. It's just it's not typically all encompassing from the standpoint of multiple triggers per day, just that same item replaying. Of course once that one dissapates another one takes its place.
Has anyone had a breakup or a major life change that triggered an OCD episode? How did you cope?
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