- Date posted
- 1y ago
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!
This should be common sense, but unfortunately I stumble down these rabbit holes and subreddits because I have a complicated health problem, and am trying to seek a similar community. I have sought out medical advice with no real conclusion and ocd anxiety makes things worse so I guess this is a form of compulsion? I’m not exactly sure anymore. Anyways, I had a strange experience last night where I had a bit of swelling and discomfort in my mouth and fingers. I took an antihistamine just in case, and the issue resolved itself. I posted in a histamine intolerance subreddit asking if anyone has experienced similar as there was no known trigger. Well, someone told me it was anaphylaxis and that I had to be more careful with what I ate. Anaphylaxis is already a trigger of mine, and although I know logically it couldn’t have been, the opinion of another person feels like confirmation. I am now afraid to eat or drink because of it. I am unsure if posting on subreddits was a compulsion now but please be careful with anything like that. It can make things so much worse.
I know a few of you saw my posts about my ERP and the googling urges. That didn’t end up going well. My therapist actually decided we needed to halt it for now. The thing is it’s almost like I learned googling is harmless from those few exercises and my brain keeps generating more things to google. Normally I would just spiral and be done but now I can barely hold back from searching for long. I eventually give in. I’m horrified because it feels like I want to find illegal content. I swear on everything I am, I don’t want to find anything even close to it. I’m freaking out because I don’t understand what’s happening. I keep compulsively searching/testing/checking or idk. I keep remembering details and I feel like I need to google again to be sure of something. I feel absolutely insane can someone please help me??? I’m petrified I’m going to get in trouble.
I've never been diagnosed with OCD, but have thought for a long time that I do have it. I've tried to bring it up in therapy but have been shot down as "OCD tendencies". Luckily I'm with a new therapist and am planning to bring it up again. Especially after reading a lot of your posts, I'm really resonating with them. Especially my anxieties and obsessions with my health. God forbid I feel any weird pain or ache, I instantly think I'm dying. Sometimes I get a weird pain in my head and think it's a stroke or aneurysm. Ill go as far as the perform the stroke FAST test. This happens multiple times a day. I also have HUGE anxieties about death and my mortality. If I think about it too much, I get this deep cold pit in my stomach and spiral. Even talking about it causes me sooo much distress. I'm just worried I'll be dismissed or told I'm just self diagnosing because I related to a post online. But if any of this sounds accurate, please let me know. I'd love to be reassured of my obsessions rather than just dismissed as being anxious.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond