Hello! As someone with obsessive thoughts who hasn't been officially diagnosed with OCD or anything yet (I primarily have obsessive thoughts that I can't get rid of that have been causing me anxiety for about 3 1/2 months now) what has everyone found to be helpful with these thoughts regarding self help? I'm going to counseling, but she doesn't specialize in OCD, and I'd love to know what ways I can work on my own.

I have had what I believe to be OCD for about 5 years now. I never really was diagnosed with it but I know a hundred percent, based off of everything I have researched that I do struggle with OCD. When I first started noticing signs was when I couldn’t leave my house without checking a hundred times to make sure everything was unplugged so it wouldn’t cause a fire. Even if I already checked it, I would go back and make sure my house wasn’t gonna burn down. Then it was making sure my car was in park because I thought if it wasn’t, it would roll and hit someone?. So I check a hundred times. Then I would have a fear of harming someone or losing my mind, Then it switched to health OCD for awhile, then Religious and as well as a faze of Existential Intrusive thoughts. It was the hardest 5 years ever. A lot of breaking down. I still struggle with all those intrusive thoughts at times. Some are better then others, Some I have gotten over for a period of time, and then they come back full force. I do eventually plan on seeing someone who specializes in OCD. I have been to therapy but only for my PTSD from being in a car crash and my generalized anxiety. I have also tried a bunch of antidepressants and anti anxiety meds as well as Ativan for years( I was on Ativan for about 8 years prior to realizing I had OCD. I was taking that on a daily based and actually became dependent) the withdrawal was brutal. I had to eventually be taken off all meds because at the time I was struggle with high cortisol levels and insulin resistance so my body was literally rejecting all meds and I was gaining massive weight. I eventually lost it all but it has been a struggle! I now just try and manage my anxiety and OCD as much as I can but am looking forward to going back to therapy. Sorry this was so long lol. I hope things are well for you. Stay strong ❤️

Part of the reason I haven't been entirely sure if what I'm experiencing is OCD is because I don't really have compulsions, I'm mainly just struggling with obsessive thoughts. I've experienced thoughts over my health and mental health, but the primary ones that I can't get over are the existential thoughts. So far they have been the worst for me and make me feel like I'm at my lowest point. I actually experienced obsessive thoughts for the first time several years ago and had them for a while, and I think what made them stick around so much was that I experienced derealization. Somehow with counseling I was able to overcome them for like 3 years and I thought I was good until something suddenly triggered me again recently.

I only had compulsions for a little while then it mainly switched to just obsessive thoughts. No matter how you look at it, if you’re having distressing thoughts and they are causing you anxiety and you can’t stop thinking of them, then chances are it’s OCD. From what I learned all different themes and forms of OCD is all the same disorder, just some people feel the need to do something physical to neutralize the thought in some way. The only difference with us and someone who actually does compulsions is we somehow do them inside our heads without even realizing that we do it, which then makes the obsession worse. I have struggled with derealization and depersonalization as well as a lot of existential thoughts. What helped me was to realize this was just my OCD trying to get me hooked. It took so long to get out of that rut but I realize that maybe I didn’t have to have all the answers as to why I am here or what humans are are why we even exist. The point is that I am here in someway and even when I didn’t feel real I just told myself I was just gonna live this out and only do things that made me feel good and happy. I was scared during that time that I was losing it but I was comforted to find out that I wasn’t alone and this was a common OCD theme. I have learned the more you fight the thoughts the more graphic they become. Letting them pass is the hardest thing you will ever learn to do but it’s the only thing that stops OCD. Our brains are actually trying to help us when we have intrusive thoughts believe it or not. You’re brain is trying to warn you of things you are afraid of so you can protect yourself and be ready to fight or flight. What our brains doesn’t realize is that it’s sending false alarms. It’s so frustrating but it’s how our brains are structured. I have spent a lot of time researching and finding info on how OCD works. It was my way of dealing with this. I can tell you that it will get better. The less you fight the more your brain will realize that those thoughts are not to fear and we are not in danger. It takes time and you will have hard days but as long as your gentle with yourself and take care of you, you will be ok❤️. Stay strong!

Thank you for the kind words! It's relieving to know that someone else thinks this is OCD as well, and that there are definitely other people who understand these experiences. It's been really bizarre to be going through this again because I thought I had it pretty much handled several years ago and that I wouldn't experience something like this as badly again. I hope we're both able to work through this and can feel better soon. ❤️ Stay strong as well!

Of course!❤️. I’m not a professional but I definitely believe it to be OCD. I know, OCD has a way of trying to come back even after a long time of being free of it. I hope we both as well! Thank you so much❤️☺️