today wasn’t the best. i kept checking if everything was still in my bag while i was out every 5-10 mins. i just couldn’t stop checking for hours. does anyone have any tips on how to stop checking things? xx if you have read this far, have a good day xx :)

Hey. I used to do that! When I would be having a beauty treatment done I would put my keys in my bag, lie back and then start panicking I never put the keys in the bag, so would lie back up and check then get that same fear again and again. What can really be useful I found was being in the moment when you put the things in your bag. So practise mindfulness. Say it out loud and see it go into your bag and it will feel more realistic. Also, ERP was useful. I'd do the mindful visual of putting my keys in the bag and then I'd only allow myself 3 checks, then 2 then 1 after a while. I'd accept that it didnt matter how many times I checked I still had same anxiety each time of what if what if. You have to let go of the control of the fear.

Allow yourself to take the chance and then accept and say its your OCD making you check constantly and you did the best you could to ensure your stuff is in your bag, and no matter how many times you check, it's only going to make you more paranoid and worried in the long run. Easier said than done. But I overcame it by doing all that. Speak to a professional and see what they can say as well to make you feel better. Best of luck.

i’m not really sure how to reply back but if your reading this then thank you so much for the tips i really appreciate them. well done for overcoming your compulsions! :)

Locking and checking and rechecking the door