So I’ve been dealing with this one thought for a while and I get ashamed that i had it for such a long time and it won't go away no matter how much i try. I've tried ignoring it, accepting it, letting it go, etc. Everytime I try to accept it my stomach tightens and I feel like throwing up. Does anyone have any advice?
That’s rough 💔 (I’m gonna comment a few different comments that I’m just copying and pasting from my notes app)
I’m not going to just tell you “your not alone” cause sometimes that just feels invalidating Especially when OCD is super duper personal with false memories Often times we are trying to navigate a personal hell not quite like anyone else has before But since us OCD people are ALL in some way ALONE we are also in this together. (Not sure if that’s helpful or makes sense lol) ALSO you CANNOT think your way out of rumination. Read that again. I promise it will change your life when applied.
Here is a technique that helps me: (warning it sounds more complicated then it is) Breath in through nose for 5 seconds Then HOLD breath for 5 (trust me the HOLD makes ALL the difference) Breath out through mouth for 5 seconds this is called Diaphramic Breathing Ok so now here is the actual thing: Find and name out loud: 5 things you can see 4 things you can hear 3 things you can touch 2 things you can smell 1 thing you can taste (Do Diaphramic breathing in between EACH step👍) TIP look around both sides of the room or just utilize stuff as far apart as possible This will be like “bilateral stimulation” which will get your logical side of the brain working This is important cause OCD is emotionally motivated.
I do have this one life lesson (that I still struggle with lol) Every human has intrinsic value that never goes up or down. The reason working hard matters is so society can work together to survive but the point is not to be productive, it is to survive so we can just be. Even people with CRAZY views that think we should kill others for the greater good, only do that cause they care about lives in the first place. we miss THE answer that is right in front of us: We’re intrinsically worthy. Yes our actions have value in the sense they have a cause and effect, But we shouldn’t do things to earn worth we should do things to help each-other and enjoy life. I truly think that PRIDE and SHAME are NOT opposites but the fuel of each other Humbleness is the cure. Which is UN-CONDITIONAL love for others and yourself Basically regardless of anything don’t love yourself more or less just focus on helping others💗 and when you make a moral mistake have “good-guilt” (which is empathy for the person you hurt that motivates you to change) ANYWAY LOL I hope that helps you feel less pathetic/ashamed of all this
@Don’tLoveDrama-itLovesMe Omg I've never had someone comment this much on my post before but I really do appreciate it a lot, I love this community because it's so helpful. The problem with the ocd I'm dealing with is it's based on language and communication because I think something in my past triggered it and now I overthink everything someone says and when I don't overthink it, my mind tricks me into thinking I don't understand anyone but I can read perfectly, write perfectly and it's so confusing. So some of the exercises you mentioned wouldn't work for me like using my senses because I would overthink and it would make me more anxious. I've also tried breathing exercises and they don't help with rumination but they do help with other anxious things. But my thoughts made me realize that everyone's ocd thoughts are different. But knowing now I can't get my way out of rumination really did change my perspective so thank you!
@Gabby123go Thanks for telling me👍 Yeah I also find that a lot of techniques people say help anxiety make it worse for me as well I also feel like there is something wrong with me and I can’t do anything right and there is some inside joke the rest of the world is in on that I am not I’m really sorry your going through that too💔 Glad I’m not the only one though
@Don’tLoveDrama-itLovesMe Yeah you're definitely not the only one and sometimes i feel hopeless. I also feel weak because last year i hardly had any symptoms of OCD, and a couple of traumatic events happen and now I have really severe anxiety and moderate OCD.
@Gabby123go Oof that sucks💔 I have also had some crazy things happen in my life recently that have caused another OCD spike when I thought I didn’t have it anymore
Ok this comment might be the most applicable to your situation: Something my therapist told me for mental compulsions is don’t just try to repress the thoughts OR take them seriously Recognize without judgement (sounds weird and wrong but bear with me) All of your thoughts/brain in general is a Library. You can pick up a book you see and read the title without reading the whole book right? So basically do not “Check-Out” intrusive thoughts or mental compulsions Just gently put it back on the shelf. WAAAY EASIER SAID THAN DONE
@Don’tLoveDrama-itLovesMe That makes totally sense, I'll definitely try it out thank you!
@Gabby123go No prob👍
https://unstuckmyocd.com/ Personalized Ai app approved by OCD professionals many say it’s a game changer $7 a month but 1 week free trial
@Don’tLoveDrama-itLovesMe Oh, yeah I've heard great things about this app!
I need advice for intrusive thoughts. I used to feel like I could handle them. They weren’t nearly as bad as the things that related to my actual life. But now, I’m suffering. I haven’t had a sexual experience in over a year that didn’t involve constant intrusive thoughts. Most are somehow related to kids and I keep chasing off the thoughts but it’s so bad. I know you’re supposed to ignore them but I don’t know how I can just ignore that and continue what I’m doing. But they’re coming on stronger. I had one earlier I could not get rid of just as things finished so the thought came on strongly just before my orgasm hit and now I feel absolutely disgusting. I hated the thought and I know it’s not me and it was not enjoyable but it still feels like I was getting off to it. I feel sick. I’m so fucking tired of these thoughts. They’re in my every day life too and it’s all the time. I just want it to stop but ignoring it feels so wrong. What should I do?
So recently my mind is trying to make me feel like I accept the thoughts, like I'm ok with for example loving X person. After I get a thought like that and I realize it I get anxious and, like right now, I cry for 1 hour+ on the bathroom floor. I feel exhausted and I want to know if I'm the only one having this.
For 3 days I had a feeling that came up pretty often and I cant name it, I dont know what is it and the more i try to see what is it the more i feel worse. Usually letting feeling be and letting yourself experience it helps but not with this. I find myself feel grumpier, triggered and more angry. Its a mix of fear, but then i get angry too and I dont find letting myself experience it helpful cause I just stuck there. It feels like its in my chest and when it gets triggered it makes things hard to enjoy. I tried to be kind with myself and see what causes it but trying to be kind with myself triggers this annoying feeling and it just gets worse... i dont know what helps thats why i ask your help, if you ever experienced this... also i what i almlst forgot to mention, what is really important is that i became really sensitive to every thought, and any thought can trigger this feeling or any thought can trigger a negative feeling that will trigger this feeling. And honestly the "just accept it and let yourself feel what you feel" doesnt helps here cause i find myself really angry that i have to let myself feel the emotions that are triggered by these intrusive thoughts...
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