Coming from someone in their 20somethings, I can say that transitioning into adulthood has been the most challenging thing on my mental health. I find more often than not, my brain is racing about 94 different thoughts, worries, responsibilities ext. and trying to find the meaning behind all of them.
I’m a bit older than you but I can relate. Something that would have helped my 20-something year old self would have been remembering that: 1.) what we’re able to do is relative to some extent to what we’re grappling with in life, and mental health struggles can even make the basics tough let alone “adulting”. This doesn’t mean we give ourself a pass, it just means practicing self compassion. Fiercely going in the direction of our goals but with warmth and grace. 2.) If I go into something with a goal of getting so much done and doing it well, it t it bc this disorder has given me a lifetime of being hyper aware of my shortcomings, which means feeling insecure and anxious about my ability to accomplish even basic tasks let alone a big to-do list. 3.) I tend to go farther when I set the bar lower (minimizing said to-do list above in point 2)…and in order to do that I need to accept where I’m at. (IE point 1) 4.) Non-engagement responses when your brain is overwhelmed and analyzing can be helpful. Even when it’s meta, like being worried about being worried, or feeling overwhelmed that you have too much you’re behind on. 4.) Asking yourself with said broken-down task list, about each task not being done soon enough or well “what’s the worst that can happen?” and try to be objective about it as though you’re writing a script as a neutral observer to avoid catastrophizing. 5.) Deep breaths with even just a minute or two of box breathing and moving your body can help you get recalibrated. 6.) talk to a therapist/doctor you trust about ruling our things like ADHD or other mental health things that can add to the racing of the thoughts aside from just OCD. (If you haven’t already.) I have ADHD which definitely makes my anxiety run in all kinds of wild, imaginative directions about all my worries. And makes it hard to sometimes regulate my emotions. My tired and anxious ADHD-disordered brain is used to using my OCD worries maladaptively to kick my butt into gear and be productive using anxious fuel but I don’t get too far with that fuel. I’m just now trying to learn how to let things other than fear and anxiety fuel me to emerge from a lifetime of executive dysfunction disfunction. 7.) these things take time, and that’s OK. Your OCD will tell you otherwise. Just humor it like a sad and pathetic coach who’s been fired but still shows up to every game and slowly realizes he’s not in charge anymore. 8.) you got this
@FJustRightOCD Thank you so so much for your words of advice
I’ve really been struggling with these things as well. I’m sorry.
Hitting 30 was the WORST my ocd has ever been. Idk if you’ve tried meds yet but holy crap prozac really made a difference for me and I wish I found it years earlier.
When im around family everything feels under control and normal and i believe that I am not struggling with anything. Almost as if im living in a bubble…But the moment i am alone i start questioning myself, my experiences, my thoughts, my emotions. I start worrying over small things or become focused on my body sensations when i think that food will not sit well with me, feel sad and emotional….idk i feel like this sounds crazy and stupid coming from a 28 year old….
Hey everyone, I just wanted to share something I’ve been struggling with, especially around making decisions. It’s really hard for me to feel confident in the choices I make, even when I know what the right thing is. I constantly find myself needing validation from others—whether it’s about something small or something really important. For example, at my job, I might know exactly what I’m doing and have done it right a bunch of times, but I still feel the need to double-check with someone or ask if it’s okay. It’s like this fear kicks in, and I start imagining worst-case scenarios—like what if I mess up and someone gets hurt, and then I get blamed or even end up in jail or prison. I know that sounds extreme, but these thoughts just come automatically, and they feel so real in the moment. This has been going on for maybe a year or two now. Even outside of work, the same thing happens. Like recently, I’ve been trying to figure out a gym schedule—my girlfriend wants to go with me, and I’m trying to plan the times and make it all work. But instead of just choosing what works best for me, I overthink it. I go back and forth in my head, and I ask other people what they think, even though deep down I know this is something I should be deciding for myself. It’s my life, but I still need that reassurance from others, and I don’t really know why. It’s exhausting to always doubt myself and to feel like one wrong choice could lead to something terrible. I’m trying to work through it, but I just wanted to put it out there and see if anyone else deals with this or has advice. Thanks for reading.
I turned 20 years old today. Ive been reflecting a lot. Since ive joined this app ive been an ever changing person. Which is good i want to change i want to be good but i still feel the same inside. Especially when i feel like this. Feel of dread an anxiety. This sense of foreboding i hate. I just feel so sad. I didn’t have good teenage years. Ive just been sad since it began and now thats its over i dont know what to expect. Im scared. Im no longer a child im a full fledged adult. Everything feels so far away but everything still hurts. Im scared for my future but looking ahead at the same time. What do i do now that im 20? Do i drop my interests? Move out? I dont know i feel like i need to do something. I dont want to spiral but i feel so much dread. I dont know what to do.
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