Struggling with exposure

This is something very difficult for me so I suppose I'm just looking for a bit of support. A bit of context before I get into my current situation: I'm not sure what facet of ocd this is, but one of the many things I struggle with would be worrying about intruders in my home, specifically mystical ones that would be disturbing in appearance. For a long time this made me afraid of my room, under my bed, the hallway, etc around the nighttime. I've done exposures around this with my therapist and it has gotten better. It's been a few months without incident until now. I just got triggered by a video on tiktok which sounds silly to say. I am also autistic and there has been a change in my routine (parents aren't home) so I think this has made me feel more vulnerable. I feel very afraid and unsafe and it's late at night, I'm trying to force myself to watch the video to prove it's not going to hurt me but I can't bring myself to look at it. I just feel like all of my progress has gone down the drain and I'm feeling very low. Wondering if anyone can relate or has any advice, sorry for the drawn out post here.

Young adults with OCD

Username: ocdhaver_123ocdhaver_123

Date posted: 31w ago

I am the same way! I have always been obsessed with the idea that someone is going to break into my house or there is a ghost or some sort of paranormal something watching me or in my home etc. You aren’t alone! As for the tiktok video, i totally get it. It’s so easy to be triggered on there. there’s some really great pages for people with OCD though. @ocd.awareness1, @obsessivelystrong , and @alegrakastens are a few good ones!

Username: gstore7gstore7

Date posted: 31w ago

Thank you for those resources, I'll check them out today :) I did end up falling asleep and turning out fine (go figure haha) so I apologize for the late response but I seriously appreciate it! It's good to know I'm not alone

Username: thebubblyonethebubblyone

Date posted: 31w ago

hey, i'm really sorry you're going through this right now. it sounds incredibly tough, especially with the change in your routine and coming across that video. it's super valid to feel shaken, especially when you've been working so hard on managing these fears. 🌟 by the way, have you heard about this new AI-powered OCD therapy tool called "unstuck?" when i was in a similar spot, feeling like all my progress was slipping away, this free AI OCD therapy tool called "unstuck" (unstuckmyocd.com/try) that my NOCD therapist recommended really made a difference for me. i think it'll be especially helpful for you because it offers personalized step-by-step support when OCD gets tough, just like an OCD therapist, but it's accessible anytime, which could be really reassuring during moments like these late at night or when your routine changes unexpectedly. 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

Username: gstore7gstore7

Date posted: 31w ago

Thank you for your kind words:') I'll definitely check that out!

Username: thebubblyonethebubblyone

Date posted: 31w ago

@gstore7 - you're welcome!

Username: alexisgonell

Date posted: 3y ago

Hi everyone! I’m new to this and also new to OCD and my fear. A few months ago I was triggered and developed an intense fear around developing schizophrenia. It got so bad but I didn’t know it was ocd until only a few days ago and I started seeing a therapist that I found on this app. She wanted me to start doing the exposures and I was like “oh I can do this, piece of cake!” Yeah NOT!! So one of my exposures was to google about it (which is what initially caused me to be triggered and spiral in the first place a few months ago) and now I’m so worked up and questioning that how can this be healthy for me to constantly expose myself to my fear? Like it’s terrifying!! Does anyone else have this fear? I feel so alone with it and don’t know how to talk about it without being labeled “crazy” which of course is my biggest fear 😭 I’m not necessarily looking for reassurance (at least I don’t think I am) but more support on how do I get through these exposures when I think they are hurting me more than helping me.

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

ERP Question

I've been doing more "surprise" exposures (like just watching TikToks and if I see a trigger, I try to just watch it and move on like normal) and I'm running into the issue of: now I'm having more intrusive thoughts, and they feel more sticky than they did *before* the exposures. I ask because I don't have access to a therapist to guide me on this, but is this common? It isn't a backdoor spike because I'm, quite frankly, not managing my OCD that well yet to have that happen. I have absolutely seen progress in myself, but I'm really hitting a wall and it feels like I'm getting stuck - and I hate it. Especially while I'm doing everything on my own because I don't want to live like this anymore. :/

Username: JenniferNSepp

Date posted: 1y ago

Could use advice

Hello, I've used this app before but sometimes avoid to not remind myself that I do have ocd. So acouple of months ago there was an upsetting video that circuled around the internet and I deleted my tiktok and instagram to avoid it. I've been using ig only on other people's phones because it just feels safer. Safe to safe just the description of this particular video left me traumatized and my ocd "flares up" when I have PMS. For me, I'm scared of being on ig because I get scared I'm gonna see or hear about that video or even worse, look up the particular things to "make sure" its deleted off of the internet. I know I would never put myself to witness something so awful, but the idea of me even thinking about it is enough to scare me and makes the simplicity of enjoying ig kinda nerve-wracking and I wonder if anyone on this app understands this feeling and knows ways to use social media in a peaceful way. I would really appreciate advice and thank you a lot to anyone who took the time to read this! Thank you 😊

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Struggling with exposure

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