- Date posted
- 1y
Dr.google
I wish there was a way to block googling medical symptoms- like a setting or something. Some physical boundary to avoid doing it
I wish there was a way to block googling medical symptoms- like a setting or something. Some physical boundary to avoid doing it
I wish too, it's my biggest compulsion, and it always leads me no where.
Have you had any success with journaling? When I get in to spirals like this, I have started writing it out and saying it out loud to myself. Most of the time I can stop it in its tracks because that action of slowing down my thoughts to write it but then also when I say “tickle in my throat” or whatever symptom is reality has time to catch up and I can go “oh yeah…I mowed the lawn today and there was a bunch of pollen kicked up” etc. I agree though, I have had some success with putting time limits on my apps
You have to learn to put your phone down and walk away and do something more fun/productive, which will eventually retire your brain away from compulsions.
I think you can block certain stuff through settings idk tho But I struggle with this Especially with looking up OCD stuff even tho I'm diagnosed I still do. Sometimes and that triggers other OCD thoughts I have intrusive thoughts or harm OCD
During times like these it’s hard but I recommend distracting yourself with something without technology. Going on a walk, reading, watching TV even. Anything to just get your mind off while you put your phone out of reach
Ooh, this is my biggest problem... I absolutely cannot resist sometimes, and I know that it's going to drive me crazy, but the urge is so strong...
i totally get where you're coming from. constantly googling symptoms can be really exhausting and anxiety-inducing, especially when you're already dealing with a lot. it's tough, but you're not alone in feeling this way. 💔 by the way, have you heard about this new AI-powered OCD therapy tool called 'unstuck?' i've been in your shoes, and what really helped me was this free AI OCD therapy tool called "unstuck" ([unstuckmyOCD.com/try](https://unstuckmyOCD.com/try)) that my NOCD therapist recommended. i think it'll be especially helpful for you because it's designed to provide personalized support when you're struggling with compulsions like googling symptoms, guiding you through steps to manage these urges just like an OCD therapist would. i hate when people promote stuff, but i really think it can help you because it's changed my life. lmk if you have Qs or just want to talk more! <3
@LeslieB3 Thanks, I’ll check it out!
@r.m.1 - you're welcome!
Hello, I just wanna put my thoughts onto something to hopefully release them. I have health ocd/anxiety which comes with googling and overthinking. Lately, I’ve been have stomach issues and acid reflux on new SSRI medication and convince myself I have SIBO or a weird disease. I then I looked into gastric diseases then freak myself out more for days on end. I’m am trying to use the ERP and saying “Mabye I do mabye I don’t”; but I always end up doing stuff to make it worse. If I have any advice don’t google, I should take my own advice😂. I have a few appointments to make sure nothings wrong which I know logically nothings wrong but for some reason I still think something is really wrong. (If you have similar stuff DONT look it up, it’ll just say the worst thing, ignorance is bliss 😭😂) Not expecting a response, just wanted to “release” my thoughts. Hopefully I help someone who is going the same thing. Anyways hope everyone is doing good and making progress in their life. :)
content warning: MRI results I got prescribed MRIs done on my lumbar and cervical spine over the weekend, and several things came back abnormal in the report. I started to google when I saw a word ending in -oma, got a basic definition of this particular kind of t*mor (probably benign/non-cancerous), realized that googling in this case was for sure a compulsion, caught myself and put my phone away. I told myself, "I have an appointment with my specialist in 2 days. I trust this doctor, so I will delay/not do my own reading until after I talk to her, and only if she recommends further self-education." I stuck to it and I was proud of myself. Cut to the appointmet today. I got lost in the building where her office is and arrived 14 mins late. The receptionist said there's a 15 minute grace period, so I would have to reschedule. No availability for 2 MONTHS, even for telehealth. First of all, I am so ashamed of being late (that's another trigger for me), and so hurt and rejected that they wouldn't talk to me, even very briefly. Now the urge to google is so extreme. There are objectively concerning things in my report, based on what she said ahead of time that we were looking for, and what would affect treatment. I also have a LOT of c*ncer in my family history; 3/4 grandparents, an aunt on each side, and 1.5 bio parents (1 was skin c*ncer, 1 was prec*ncerous polyps removed but considered high future risk to be monitored), so "-oma" and "t*mor" are big red flags in my minds. So while normally I am actually pretty good about living and making peace with my chronic conditions, and health ocd is really only like 5 on my hierarchy, I know that I actually do have to be vigilant about c*ncer in some ways. My balanced solution is sticking to recommended observation scheduling, and then entrusting the research and checking to my trusted providers, so that I am not being negligent nor being compulsive. But now what? I hate waiting. Idk if/when I'll hear from her. Chronic pain in those regions due to curvature and degenerative discs are the reasons I have to get MRIs every couple of years, and now I am so somatically, obsessively aware of that pain and wondering what's going on. This post is a vent, and is my choice to express the anxiety without giving into the desire to google. I'm not seeking reassurance on whether I/my test results are going to be ok. Still, I think just some understanding and/or advice on holding myself accountable for not compulsing would be deeply appreciated. Thanks.
i really struggle with anxiety because on my OCD (not professionally diagnosed but i’ve been experiencing a lot of symptoms for many years that’s it’s safe to assume i have it). the only way to relieve my stress is to google. But google never gave me proper answers or i just ended up more anxious than to begin with. Instead i started using chat gpt as a quick was to get reassurance. i feel bad using it tho because i know it’s just a compulsion to go and seek reassurance to calm my anxiety but if i dont atleast google something i end up spiralling anyways. it feels like no matter what i do ill be anxious .
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