- Date posted
- 7y
- Date posted
- 7y
I’ve actually used this to make progress in my recovery. I was sick of avoiding things and not doing things because my OCD would get in the way. I’ve made a strong point to not allow OCD to have any effect over decisions I make in life. I do the things I love to do regardless of OCD coming along for the ride or not.
- Date posted
- 7y
For sure! Make sure to stay in control of OCD, not the other way around!
- Date posted
- 7y
Yes, it’s very possible that OCD can cause this. Is there a specific fear that keeps you from doing the things you loved? Or, possibly, there’s some underlying depression involved too. Anxiety and depression go hand and hand more frequently than not, so chances are, it’s most likely you’re experiencing some anxiety-related depression as well. Overall, there’s not enough information about your OCD, fears and overall feelings.
- Date posted
- 7y
I definitely relate, Lizzie. Maybe if you try self exposure therapy, it’ll help you realize nothing bad will happen when you do things you enjoy. Like, practice reading for 5 or 10 minutes a day (or every other day) until you start feeling more comfortable. Gradually (and I do mean GRADUALLY) increase the time spent reading or painting. You can start by doing this exercise as little as 2 or 3 days a week (recommended) or every day for a week at a time. You can give yourself a week break in between. So you’d be doing this exercise bi weekly to start with. Then move to 3 weeks a month, then every week.
- Date posted
- 7y
@Skarlettrose That is definitely a great way to do it!! I am doing exposure for some of the smaller things I enjoy doing and I find that this app really helps keep me on track! I definitely have to force myself to do it regularly like you said!! Increasing it gradually is a good idea as well!! Thank you! :)
- Date posted
- 7y
Yeah, I used to love going to my friends house in France but I can’t go anymore :/
- Date posted
- 7y
I suffer a lot more from hygiene ocd now but my last episode was all about obsessions and compulsions that I had to fulfill in order to not throw up. Reading was such a chore because I had to read it the “right” way... which was just when it felt right. So id re read and re read and re read. It was particularly hard when reading philosophy books for college!! I also had to connect everything and write the write way so college was just a huge struggle in general. I would also not wear certain clothes because I felt sick if I wore them. And the bus was a big no no. I totally relate because my whole life was centred around making sure I did not throw up. The ironic part is that I never threw up once.... all that worrying :(
- Date posted
- 7y
@Skarlettrose My OCD causes me to create associations between doing things I enjoy and something bad happening and avoiding these things I enjoy is a compulsion. (For example I have intrusive thoughts that if I do a certain hobby then the fears I obsess about will come true.) I avoid all of these things because of my obsessions and I think avoidance has become a compulsion.
- Date posted
- 7y
I can definitely relate
- Date posted
- 7y
@PetShopBoysrock That is great!!! It definitely takes a lot of courage and hard work to do and I hope I will be able to if I keep working on my exposure!!
- Date posted
- 7y
@xxEmilyxx I’m really sorry to hear that!! I know that I we’ll be able to fight are OCD and do the things we love again!!
- Date posted
- 7y
@Aliceisdirty I understand how you feel!! It must have been so tiring!! I used to obsess over throwing up as well, it was one of my first obsessions. I bet that made college very difficult!! I understand how you felt with difficulty wearing certain clothes, that is something I am struggling with now! Thank you for sharing your story, it’s so nice to know that you can relate!
- Date posted
- 7y
*compulsion.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 24w
Hi all! I wanted to share something that’s been bothering me for a while, and maybe some of you can relate. I’ve had my driver’s license for 2 years now… but I don’t drive. I’m honestly really scared of getting behind the wheel — I’m afraid I’ll mess up, panic, or cause an accident. Sometimes I feel embarrassed because it seems like everyone around me drives without a second thought. Are there any of you who have the same fear or have gone through this and managed to overcome it? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or any advice. Thank you so much in advance!
- Date posted
- 23w
I haven't been able to read about experiences similar to mine when it comes to my perfectionism OCD so I was wondering if anyone had any "uncommon" experiences.
- Date posted
- 20w
I wanted to come on here and explain my OCD because I always feel so out of place since my OCD works a little differently than everyone else’s. If someone can relate to this, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I’ve always felt so alone with not knowing what this feeling is and why it affects me so much. Okay so ever since I was a toddler, Ive had a fear of change I can’t control. when the weather changes I’d have anxiety attacks, and a cloudy day would make me feel like i’m not myself. I don’t recognize my surroundings and I would cry and close my eyes until I’m back to normal. When it was still bright out at 8pm in the summer, as a kid, we’d go to bed at 8:30. But I’d tell my dad that I couldn’t go to bed. Not because of the sun, but because I wasn’t used to it. I vividly remember how different my room would feel when the sun was setting at 9pm. I hated it to the point where it’d make me anxious and scared. As I’ve grown, I’ve understood what causes me to feel so out of place when it’s a rainy day. My routine has always been the same for the most part: I wake up, I run to the store to get a monster, I clean/watch tv/work/hangout with friends, and then at night (which is crucial), I’m in bed around 10pm & I burn incense and watch tv for a bit until i’m ready to sleep. When things get in the way of that schedule, I go in panic mode. It’s almost like derealization when something is off in my normal routine. Like I feel like I’m in a different home, a different timeline, a dream almost. Since i’m older, It takes more for me to feel this way, but when I was younger, just watching a movie in my room would set me off because I’ve never watched a movie as a part of my routine. I know this is all over the place but I always wonder if everyone feels this way, but my OCD just intensifies it. It’s such a big part of my life, this sort of anxiety. And I don’t know how to get rid of it. I want to have my friends stay the night, but I can’t have people overnight in my room because it’ll change the whole “vibe” of the room. Something unfamiliar happening in my room is a nightmare for me. Another thing: I enjoy rearranging my room quite often and I figure that’s because It’s change I can control. But I always dread the night after it’s changed and I have to force myself into getting used to how it feels and being used to the way things are. But it really takes a toll on me; sometimes I end up crying because of it. ALSO! This affects relationships as well. If I’m in a relationship, I have to let in someone who has never been apart of my routine and my schedule before and that’s terrifying and almost impossible to get past. I know if I just let myself get used to the new feeling of having someone APART of my routine/schedule I can get used to it, but it’s harddd. Lastly, going overnight to people’s houses isn’t awful for me, because It doesn’t affect what’s mine. Does that make sense? Since I’m not in my room, my house, my backyard, etc, there’s nothing to change. Only the fact that i’m in a different place which used to be an issue, but my body/mind has accepted that I will go to different places and i’m very optimistic so i’m not one to just live in a bubble for the rest of my life. I would love to travel, but I don’t know how I could when I fear so much change. I leave for college soon and i’m DREADING the change because I know a whole different room is going to have me stressing 😭😭. If anyone understands this feeling even just by a little, I greatly appreciate if you leave a comment or even if u don’t relate, advice would be helpful:) Thank you!
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