OCD/Anxiety Spikes before Period

i really relate to your post!! it always feels so rough when i feel that spike coming on. for me, managing symptoms looks like trying to ground myself and feel connected to my body. i like to go on walks, follow along to some yoga or meditation videos, read, and do something kind for myself like cook a nice meal. so far these things have helped soothe me during those spikes (which also tend to happen to me when im stressed). my suggestion is basically find something that makes you feel grounded mentally and move your body in some way.

I completely understand. I was diagnosed with PMDD, because of this reason. Birth control helped me a lot personally. But I would suggest also finding ways to ground yourself. Sometimes I found that when I tried to distract myself, it was only delaying me getting through the emotion. Feel your emotions and where you feel them in your body. One trick that my therapist taught me was holding an ice cube in each hand, this always helps me ground myself when I feel myself getting more and more anxious - ESPECIALLY right before my period where I get suicidal thoughts. I hope I can help in some way, I’m sending you all the support in the world and you’re not alone in feeling this way ❤️

I guess there is one thing that helps me just a little bit. Though the pms often wins in my case, I have been spared a few times just asking myself, ‘is that what I would do/say, or is it what my pms would do/say?” If it seems almost separate from my character I try to wait, or soften my approach with others. It is so hard, and it doesn’t always work… but sometimes it will and that’s progress and I will take it! I am definitely also picking up some good tips on this post too, and I am definitely trying the ice cubes 🧊. Thanks for opening this topic!

Same here! I’m a terrible example, though, of what NOT to do. I usually do whatever the pms wants and end up exhausted :/

Yes I can totally relate. Something that helps me is recognizing that this is a normal bilogical pattern - as much as it sucks, this is just what happens with OCD and hormones and when they come together. Nothing I can do about it except my attitude!!