- Username
- Nica
- Date posted
- 43w ago
Q&A About OCD w/ Me!
I haven’t done a Q&A in a long time, but I finally have a few hours of free time! Please ask any and all questions about OCD and I’ll do my best to answer ❤️
I haven’t done a Q&A in a long time, but I finally have a few hours of free time! Please ask any and all questions about OCD and I’ll do my best to answer ❤️
Not a q but wanted to say I remember you from the day I joined this app and it warms my heart to see ur here i appreciate all you’ve done🥹♥️ your posts always brought me comfort ♥️
@CurlyHairedPoodle Aww thank you! ❤️🌸
Are you one of the therapists on NOCD? Or just a really experienced patient? Or both? 😊 As always, your insight and inspiration is always appreciated.
@Joey_867 I’m not a therapist anywhere; I just do volunteer advocacy work on here and also in person. I am an ongoing patient though I have been subclinical for 4 years now after 6 years of intense therapy for OCD and PTSD specifically. Then I tackled GAD and depression.
@Nica Thank you for sharing. I was diagnosed with GAD and depression 13 years ago - it was blatantly health OCD (in hindsight). Shockingly a psychiatrist missed it. It amazes me how many of us go undiagnosed. Thankfully, it was caught this time around after 10 years of remission. Best 10 years of my life. Everyone listen to Nica!
@Joey_867 I’ve been missing too! Though it was bipolar and schizophrenia 😆 oopsy… it was PTSD from childhood trauma though.
@Nica Misdiagnosed* bad typo
How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? And when would you say your OCD was at its worst?
@Catlove9 I’m in my early 30s. It was bad from 2012-2016. And I had started therapy in 2013 for my issues, so it didn’t take for a while because I was fighting back a lot.
@Nica That’s awesome. I’m 36 and I wish I would have gotten treatment earlier because it’s the worst it’s ever been for me. I appreciate your answer.
@Catlove9 It’s better to seek out treatment now instead of waiting longer! Even if you feel that you waited too long, it’s better than never getting to it.
@Nica Thank you ❤️
Do you have any advice on where to seek therapy if someone doesn't have a lot of money? That would be really helpful:)
@Solar eclipse Nathan Peterson’s OCD course which is a one time fee.
I have no access to any specialists in OCD, as my state unfortunately sucks with accepting/offering free mental healthcare. I'm unsure if I have OCD because I've only just started looking into it, and I don't want to end up falling down a hole of hours and hours of 'research'. But I also feel scared to try coping mechanisms for a label that isn't tied to me because, in my head that makes me a bad person. Even if I'm the only one that knows. (I know that makes no sense 😔) Do you have any advice for for someone trying to tell if they may or may not be experiencing longterm compulsions/rituals that just seem 'normal' now?
@CatWhiskers I suggest looking into Nathan Peterson’s online OCD course so you can get the help you need. It’s a one-time fee and I’ve heard he can help with payment plans. Because you’re so deep in the compulsions and can’t easily differentiate between what is and is t one, I think jumping into a program is the best way to go even if it’s not 1:1 therapy.
@Nica Oh! I'll definitely look into that. I agree, I'm looking for anything that could help me because I am genuinely struggling. Thank you very much for your care and time!
@CatWhiskers No worries! 🤘🏻❤️ you got this!
Have you experienced SO-OCD?
@missbluesky Yes, I have
@Nica My problem is this: I’ve suffered from SOOCD since I was 12. I’m 22 now. It comes and goes in waves, but when it “goes” it’s still in the back of my mind; I just don’t do very noticeable compulsions like come on here or google or scroll on Reddit for hours. I still notice women, I still think about if maybe I am actually a lesbian or actually bisexual, but I don’t have as much anxiety around it. It still bothers me, but it isn’t as bad as it gets when I have a flare up, like I’m having now. These flare ups happen 2 times a year usually and last up to 3 months. I have never done ERP in a committed way— if I do ERP, do you think that will help? Or am I simply too far gone?
@missbluesky Yes, you should absolutely do ERP. You’re not too far gone at all.
@Nica Thank you for your reply. Also, do you think that’s a “normal” OCD cycle?
@Nica Like the periods where it’s not so bad but it’s still there in my mind ?
@missbluesky Intrusive thoughts will always be present; it’s a human thing. You need to learn not to give it any energy. No energy, it doesn’t become an issue.
I had another question. Not sure if you’ll see it. Back in August I went to the concert of my LIFETIME favorite artist. It was when I was still drinking and I got way too drunk. To the point I don’t remember the last hour of the night. Of course I woke up the next day thinking I must have assaulted someone in the bathroom. Well since the concert, I can no longer listen to this artist and I used to listen to him every day. I love his music but listening to him makes me feel immense guilt. Do you have any recommendations on what to do?
@Catlove9 Listen to the artist for self ERP.
@Nica Okay. Thank you, again. And thank you for all you do on here to help others. It’s very meaningful to people like me.
@Catlove9 You’re welcome ☺️
As some of you guys probably know, if I’ve been leaving annoyingly chirpy comments on your posts (?) I’m a huge believer in ERP. It works consistently with my OCD when nothing else has, its pulled me out of some dark places, etc etc. But I also see a lot of posts asking a heap of different questions about it. I totally get your frustrations and confusion. It was easier for me, in a way, because I was so hopeless when I discovered it I went, “if this doesn’t work, I’m just gonna give up an end it.” It was my last resort so I guess that helped in a way, but it did work. It really did. So where I’m going with this is, If anyone has any questions about ERP, dump them here in the comments and I’ll answer them as soon as I can. All questions, any questions, throw them at me. I want to help, I know what you’re going through and as an obsessively good researcher (even before my OCD kicked in) I have a tonne of different explanations on how it works, why it works, how it feels, and so on and so on and so on. Honestly, I just wanna be useful. I wanna help. Being able to help people through this stuff makes my OCD a teensy bit worthwhile. Give me your best shot :)
Hey nOCD Fam! Opening up a Q+A session all day today if you have any questions on OCD Recovery and what life is like in recovery with OCD still there but maintained, if you are a skeptic if it because you are suffering so much, how ERP worked for me, anything. Love chatting with you guys, thanks for letting me lend a hand!
If you don’t already know about me, I’ve been recovered from OCD (and my other mental illnesses) after doing hardcore ERP and trauma therapy for 3 years. I’m still on NOCD to help. Ask my anything and I’ll answer to the best of my knowledge 😁
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