Feeling Scared

hey, i really feel for you. dealing with health concern ocd can be so exhausting, especially when your mind is constantly racing with what-ifs. it's tough, but you're not alone in this. 💔 i'm actually battling a different ocd theme myself, so i totally get how overwhelming it can be. one thing that's been a game-changer for me is this app called "unstuck ocd therapy tools." it's like having a mini therapist in your pocket. my local ocd support group recommended it, and it's been super helpful. it gives you ai-personalized guidance and exercises right when you need them. super helpful for those 2 a.m. panic moments. also, there's this other app called "gg ocd." it's not as personalized and more about teaching you the basics of cbt for ocd through short learning modules. it's pretty cool if you're looking to understand more about how cbt works for ocd, but it doesn't offer in-the-moment help like unstuck does. might be worth checking out too. hang in there, okay? you're stronger than you know. 🌟

I, too, have been dealing with health concern ocd for a large portion of my life now. I know everything you said you’re feeling extremely well. My ruminations present the exact same way, feel something small or possibly insignificant to others but immediately go to the worst case scenario, dwell on it and perseverate, press on the part of my body I’m concerned about to try to feel what it could be, google my symptoms, etc, etc, etc. It’s difficult and debilitating, but I try to think about the amount of times I’ve personally been in the same position, thinking something feels more serious than it does, or finding something I think would be a massive deal, only to find out it was nothing, or had a really simple explanation. As someone who is genuinely at higher risk for something like lymphoma, I have that particular fear regularly. Try to look at the most rational explanation and stick with that thought until you feel better and your symptoms go away, and if they persist, going to the doctor sooner rather than later is always an option. The difficult part of this disease is knowing when to pursue medical attention and when you might be experiencing OCD obsessions, but just because we deal with this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pursue medical attention, just that we should try to temper our OCD to prevent ourselves from unnecessary compulsions and repeated appointments despite our doctors telling us we’re okay. There’s no right answer for how to approach obsessions like these, but if it makes you feel better to make the appointment to be seen, even though it’s likely just a cold or virus, there is no harm in that. And in terms of worry about a diagnosis, in the extremely unlikely scenario that it is something more serious, treatment options have never been better than they are now. But when your doctor tells you it’s nothing serious, hear it, remember it, and recite it when you experience these obsessions in the future. I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s certainly not fun, but we can make it through. Nothing is as scary as we make it out to be in our minds. Please be well and take care of yourself ❤️

Woah reading this reminds me of me and its so validating but also so awful. I wish more than anything that we could all just relax and have calm minds. Ive been trying to explain for years these thoughts and am just told im being irrational which i obviously know. I havent been to the doctor sonce i was a child because of these same fears I am so sorry youre dealing with this