- Date posted
- 7y
- Date posted
- 7y
Thanks for sharing more about your story and “OCD experience” with us.. as I’m sure others in the group can relate, what you wrote sounds pretty normal to me. Have you tried other methods of therapy besides just ERP? I’ve used ACT and Mindfulness and they both have had a major positive effect on my recovery. You’re lucky to be seeing a psychologist regularly!
- Date posted
- 7y
You’ve practically described me to a T. This is extremely hard to deal with... as it’s both perfectionism and overwhelming fear rolled into one. The only thing that’s really helped me here is accepting your work pace (I am slow and deliberate too; which, I think can definitely be better than fast paced and careless) and training yourself to not have a damn to give when it comes to what others can and cannot do. If they tell you you’re too slow, walk away. If you feel like you need to speed up, ask yourself this: “why would I want to fix the quality of my work just to be like almost everyone else in terms of speed?” Contrary to popular belief held today, speed is NOT always key. In times like these, I have to continuously remind myself to not let fear rule my life. OCD is an extension of who we are... once we learn to accept that, we begin to see what benefits it gives us (yes, benefits). OCD is a nightmare to live with, but it makes us more aware, understanding, careful and deliberate than more than half of humans out there. Every good thing has a bad thing, and Vice versa. ALWAYS remember that <3 As hard as it may be, when it comes to work and everything else “mandatory” in life, you just have to take a deep breath, jump in and hope the water isn’t shallow. As corny as it may sound, faith (not necessarily religious) is a big component in every ill or struggling person’s life. Without having faith in yourself and your road to happiness, you won’t move. Faith is magick, have faith in good things and watch the magick sparkle before your weary eyes. It’s going to take patience, determination and willpower... but never give up. Good things come to those who are patient. I hope my advice works for you, I’ve got plenty more if this doesn’t sound like something you’re up for. Blessed Be <3
- Date posted
- 7y
I’m so sorry you have gone through all of that. Thank you for sharing your story! Is your psychologist an “ERP specialist,” or someone who is trying ERP and is learning it on the go?
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 7y
You don't sound pathetic at all! Thanks for coming to the group and sharing more of your story/experiences with everyone. Dr. Grayson actually put together a great document on incorporating ACT into OCD Treatment if you'd like to check it out: https://adaa.org/sites/default/files/Grayson_157C.pdf
- Date posted
- 7y
I’m a nurse and I have the same problems at work! It’s so hard. Keep working with your therapist. I’m also on medications that help me get through the work day successfully
- Date posted
- 7y
Cjx: I’m so glad I’ve helped you! Just remember, what you’re feeling or thinking has been felt by someone before you. You’re never the only one, nor are you alone. And also, mindfulness is a great technique! Practicing meditation really helps you release stress and live in the now; as does yoga.
- Date posted
- 7y
Also, Cjx, you’re not pathetic. Trust me, I also have ADHD/ADD (combination type)... so I can’t focus well either. It’s completely alright that you feel that way... and if it isn’t okay (which it is), then I am pathetic too. We can be pathetic together hahaha :’D but seriously, it’s completely okay. Sometimes people unintentionally make things sound easier than they actually are. Trust me, it happens way more than anyone realizes.
- Date posted
- 7y
Mjs110160 my psychologist is a specialist in ERP- but she has said my OCD is particularly hard to keep up the ERP with as it's based in my work and my work does require myself to be careful and accurate etc. Samantha 20 can you talk me through how ACT works? Mindfulness is very helpful and I am trying to keep that a habit but at the moment it doesn't seem to calm me enough to stay focussed or in the moment. I still can't fight the feeling of avoidance...I sound so pathetic. Thank you Skatlettrose you've made me feel less lonely! And dare I say it 'normal?!' I definitely agree I have let fear rule my life and boy is it horrible ?keep the advice coming I love your insight!
- Date posted
- 4y
I work in healthcare and dealing with patients all day! I am having the exact problems you described! It makes getting through a day at work so hard!
Related posts
- Date posted
- 25w
I've never seen a therapist or been diagnosed, so I went surfing through to find this community. I've seen a lot of OCD symptoms written online. Here is what I experience that I feel may be OCD. If any of you guys agrees, please let me know. I have only ever been able to call my mom by her first name. I have never been able to not do that. She tried to make me call her mom once as a kid but it felt so wrong that I started crying. Everytime I see a wet floor sign, I say "piso mojado" out loud. I have plenty of harsh intrusive thoughts, such as committing acts of violence when I see people not using their turn signals, interrupting performers at a concert. I make myself re-press on my phone alarms 10-12 times each day in the same rythym until it feels fully set to go off. Light switches get flicked off and on, I can't stand not doing it. I have to double-check everything and make myself re-look through the same drawers at work for hours. I love to write, but I never get far because I need approval from others. My head is also always filled to the brim with thoughts which has made writing and things like memory a lot harder. I can't use spoons. I can only use forks for almost everything. I can't stand them. That's all I can think of for right now. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
- Date posted
- 18w
I have had ocd for decades! Could I still be cured???? (Of you can call it that?) I have seen different therapists but it never had fully left me...not by any stretch of the imagination. I do want to be free of this ocd and its power over me and all the bad that it brought into my life!!! Some days I am strong and feel like I am fighting it put other days...many days...I don't get things done or if I do I take a long time to-do the things I need to get done. I feel like I know this is just then ocd stopping me and that these are just thoughts but nobody in my family understands and though they have shared my journey and hated it a I do.....it just feels like I want so bad to be the best person I coukd be but I avoid places, people, things, that have any reminder of my ocd.......and so it restricts me from getting better and completing tasks the way I used to. Now UI might go and make 2-3 trips cuz I am worried to shop at a place and therefore it takes my time up. The avoidance I do is bad! When I actually don't listen to my ocd and don't avoid something...I feel great! ,However, it happens so rarely!!! I.dont know how finding a therapist through NOCD will help me. It is not in person and two be honest I almost think I need medicine to push me along. I don't have anybsteady and consistent improvements. However, I don't think I want to be on medication for the rest of my life! I am very confused!
- Date posted
- 11w
Hi, I’m new to the app as of today. I’m 20 years old, and wanted to get some stuff off my chest about the types of OCD I’ve been experiencing over the years. I’m not entirely sure how or when my OCD was brought up, but I’ve been a perfectionist for as long as I can remember. Anywhere and everywhere I go, if I see things placed in an order/angle that my brain doesn’t approve of, next thing I know I’m “fixing” it to be in the placement I feel looks better. I’m not aware of why I feel the need to do that, but until an object is in the “right” placement, I won’t take my eyes off of it. My eye will even twitch. Another form of OCD I have is in relationships. I spend each day overthinking and over-analyzing every one of the relationships that are important to me. Friends, family, significant other. Another one is what’s considered “Pure OCD” . When I get an intrusive thought of something devilish, whether it’s randomly seeing my great aunt naked bc my grandma considers her “fat” even though she’s not, or it’s seeing something demonic and traumatizing, I immediately tell myself, “I don’t wanna see/think about that” over and over and over until the thought is gone. Or I’ll try to replace one mental image with another. One other form of OCD I face every day, is religion. I got baptized for the first time in my life earlier this year in January. I had finally started to repent for my sins, and now I’m constantly feeling afraid that I’m letting God down due to my depression/lack of motivation and vaping/smoking. I also fear excessively that He’ll banish me from His kingdom, or just turn a cold shoulder. I know that what I’ve just typed up is probably all over the place. That is my brain unfortunately. How do you go from being a mentally disorderly and seemingly erratic young woman, to a more well-established, successful woman? I’m all ears!
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