Alternatives to therapy

Hi guys, Lately I have been having an increasingly difficult time dealing with OCD. I eat quite healthily and live a healthy lifestyle but I keep getting sick. I think it’s because of how stressed I have been constantly over the last few months. I can’t really afford therapy at the moment and I am feeling a little lost. I know exposure and response prevention is the best way to conquer OCD but I find it hard to have the willpower to stick to this. Does anyone have any tips on how they implemented this into their life? I’m feeling quite helpless and I know I need to start looking after myself better but I just don’t know how. Thanks

The real yee...

Date posted: 1y ago

You’re probably aware, but do you do your exposure and the general *work* involved in little steps? I’m 19, and OCD is mostly in the past for me, it seemed to be an expression of anxiety I deal with. Prayer most definitely helped me, wether or not I’m right about Religion. Also remember the value in optimism. It helps you to persevere, because pessimism makes it easier to quit. Keep telling yourself the better of a given set of outcomes will occur, even if it seems wrong or naive. Bold optimism is such a virtue. Also, if you ever find yourself turning into an emotional ‘black hole’, where you just feel like everything’s going terrible and it makes you have less patience with family, do something kind. It’s a very powerful way to get out of that hole of despair. Give a homeless person some food, or comfort a family member who is having a tough day, or simply ask someone how their day is going in as friendly a manner as you can, even if it totally goes against the way you feel. I hope these bits are of some value to you, they were to me. You can get through this, you can climb the mountain with hundreds of baby steps, even if the summit is obscured by fog. You’ll get there.

scarecrowman571

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

hi lovely, im also UK based but ive had NOCD therapy. but other resources have been super helpful too. NOCD support groups are free and really helpful. also jenna overbaugh's instagram and podcast helped me massively. in terms of lifestyle stuff, this can be a part of ERP. practise self-compassion and value- based activities - i know this is a lot easier said than done, but if you keep at it i promise it gets easier. sending love 💕

scarecrowman571

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

@Anonymous here if you go to "community" tab they should be there or just google NOCD support groups

scarecrowman571

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

@Anonymous here yes!

guitar4444

Date posted: 1y ago

I don’t live in USA unfortunately :( but thank you

guitar4444

Date posted: 1y ago

I’m in the UK

x.dulcemusician

Date posted: 25w ago

They recommend me medication for my severe OCD

Hi. I’m writing this post because I don’t know if I should be medicated again. Lexapro worked well for me, but I gained like 30 pounds. I quit because of that and honestly I thought I was able to manage my OCD well better. I was wrong, it got worse again. I wish I can do this without medication…that’s why I expose myself everyday, doesn’t matter how drained and exhausted I get. Are you guys medicated or trying to go without medicine. How is it going for you guys? Many hugs for all of you. We got this.

Rookeryend123

Date posted: 20w ago

Hi, I’m Matt!

Hey guys, I hope you’re well! My names Matt, and OCD has struck me again 😂 When I was 10 years old I had to attend therapy as I was having excessive intrusive thoughts. P.s. I didn’t even know this was possible at the age of 10! I then completely forgot about it, until 2.5 years ago when I started experiencing ROCD. I really couldn’t understand why I was feeling/thinking this way however, I soon after remembered my struggles as a child and then realised my OCD had returned. Also, my mum has serious OCD so I guess that could be why too. I had a a really hard battle with my emotions and mood due to this however, the last 1.5 years had been really good and I managed it well. I got married and had the best day of my life. 3 months ago, a thought about having an affair in my head appeared, and BOOM, it’s back again. I’m struggling a lot right now however, I’ve accepted that this could be a re occurring theme throughout my life, and it’s time to learn to deal with it again. I’m back on medication and have started ERP therapy, so hopefully it’s on the up from here. I’m not here to list off my triggers and thoughts as this would be me seeking reassurance however, I’m here to show that recovery is certainly possible!

EllieH95

Date posted: 15w ago

How do you do ERP without spiraling?

I have contamination OCD that causes me to excessively wash my hands/clean items with disinfectant wipes. I know I just need to start with small exposures but how do I do that without spiraling? I tried a while back by just touching the outside of my dishwasher and not washing my hands after and it led to me being unable to even exist in my house. I basically lived on my couch for three weeks as it was the only 'safe' space that I had not touched with my dirty hands. I had to take a week off work to clean my house to make it somewhat liveable. I still haven't got round to cleaning everything though so things like my kitchen are still no-go zones that I don't enter. I just don't know how to start ERP without it making everything worse. Any advice would be appreciated. I am not seeing a therapist at the moment due to financial constraints.

Contamination OCD

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