InfiniteLoop
- Date posted
- 6y
Lark G.Lark G.
- Date posted
- 6y
Same. I had this and was able to get over it by not googling. However with contamination ocd. I’m soooo repulsed that I can’t apply the technique. It’s really hard
orangeyorangey
- Date posted
- 5y
I’ve had this very badly. E.g spending 3+ hours a night obsessively googling symptoms, at one point. To be honest, I think I had to go through that to finally realize that a) it actually wasn’t decreasing my anxiety, and b) that I will NEVER reach a point of certainty due to the very nature of this illness. I tried to get into the habit of asking myself, “is what I’m doing right now helping or harming me, in the long run?” as soon as I can recognize that I’m slipping into ruminations.
InfiniteLoopInfiniteLoop
- Date posted
- 5y
It’s so hard to stop. It’s almost like being addicted to a drug and knowing that if you’d just give in once, you’d feel a little better. I’m struggling pretty hard with this lately, but I’m getting better at it.
orangeyorangey
- Date posted
- 5y
Yeah it’s awful. I just gave in now to a 20-30 minute google session :( It’s so hard to just ignore a new physical “symptom” that you’ve never felt before.
InfiniteLoopInfiniteLoop
- Date posted
- 5y
A part of me wants to block google on my phone so I *can’t* do it, but then I’m not really learning anything by forcing it, I guess... ?
orangeyorangey
- Date posted
- 5y
@InfiniteLoop Something my therapist recommended is to do “data collection” on your compulsions (googling). Meaning to write down in a spreadsheet whenever you give in to a compulsion, what triggered it, for how long you do the rituals, and what rituals you do. For me, doing this diligently and then actually being able to see that I was spending 3 hours a night googling things and that lo and behold the next day I STILL felt just as awful kinda helped to put things into perspective a bit after doing the data collection for 4-5 days.
InfiniteLoopInfiniteLoop
- Date posted
- 5y
@orangey That’s a great idea! I think I’ll try that
orangeyorangey
- Date posted
- 5y
@InfiniteLoop Awesome, let us know how it goes.
Related posts
Michele32
- Date posted
- 24w
Compulsions
Less than a year ago, I had a very big anxiety flare up to the point that I felt as though I needed to report to the police / harm myself. I ended up leaving an anonymous tip at the police hotline about something that I know I didn’t even do but everything told me I had to or else I will go to jail. And similarly after that I called the help line and explained I had unwanted intrusive thoughts and I didn’t think I deserved to live for having those thoughts. After these many months and working with my therapist, I’ve been able to feel a lot less anxious around this topic and now I’m getting lots of anxiety about what I did that time when I was so anxious. I gave in to my compulsions and confessed for stuff that I know sounds bad saying out loud but only certain people will understand I would never do. So now I’m just looking for someone to relate and perhaps let me know that I don’t have anything to worry about? I know it’s bad to seek reassurance but I’m not sure where to go. And I’m worried I’m going to keep incriminating myself.
bsbsbdnsnsn
- Date posted
- 22w
using chat gpt
i really struggle with anxiety because on my OCD (not professionally diagnosed but i’ve been experiencing a lot of symptoms for many years that’s it’s safe to assume i have it). the only way to relieve my stress is to google. But google never gave me proper answers or i just ended up more anxious than to begin with. Instead i started using chat gpt as a quick was to get reassurance. i feel bad using it tho because i know it’s just a compulsion to go and seek reassurance to calm my anxiety but if i dont atleast google something i end up spiralling anyways. it feels like no matter what i do ill be anxious .
kitchensink234
- Date posted
- 19w
Advice please!
I have really started to take control of my compulsions and im starting to string together better days! Still not great days or even good, but they are better!!! I have controlled my outward compulsions (googling, research, reassurance, checking) the past couple of days and felt the positive impact of that. But unfortunately, I am realizing that the rumination is still constant. My sexuality and relationship are the only two things constantly on my brain, and if they aren’t I freak out and wonder why im not thinking about them! Anyone have any advice on how to deal with the rumination. Sometimes I don’t even notice im doing it, but it’s taking up 90% of my day. Once I start to tackle this I think I may make some real big progress! Hope everyone is fighting today! ❤️
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