- 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
- 5y
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
- 19w
I’ve been my job for almost 2 years now and I can not shake the constant worry that I am going to do something to mess it up. I’m constantly checking things over and over to make sure they’re correct to the point where I almost don’t believe my own eyes anymore. Everyday I go home with something to be anxious about. Today me and a coworker got in a bit of a tiff and I can’t stop thinking about it (even though I was totally right to be upset 🤣) everyday I play out fake scenarios that may happen because of what I said or did. Occasionally I will worry if I had written something inappropriate on the work I turn in. There’s no amount of reassurance that can make me stop worrying and I’m not sure what to do anymore. I’m new here and would love some suggestions!
- Date posted
- 18w
Every time I try to talk about what I am feeling I feel like my mind goes blank and I don't know how to start I was diagnosed with OCD and I am taking medication and goes through CBT but I didn't feel like my life was back I didn't feel like I totally understand what is going on inside my mind and why this is happening and how. I feel like there is always something missed that I can't understand . The doctor and therapist didn't define what type of OCD I have But according to what I've read I think it's pure ocd cause I am always trying to understand every single thing and if I don't analyse I feel so frightened and not comfortable and these feelings come to me in different situation even if it's not about analysing. It comes when I draw ,study ,drive a car or just thinking about anything , Like when I think about how should I start a project or a job , I feel like I am soo lost like I am in nowhere so I feel panicked and dozens of thoughts come to my mind and I feel paralysed and soo overwhelmed . And these feelings just stay for a long time without knowing what triggered it so I don't know how to face then and they stay for a long time. I am not able to do anything in my life right now Neither study nor doing my hobbies . I feel like my life is frozen and I don't know if it will stay like this forever or not. Every time I feel like I controlled my ocd and know how to live with it it comes in a different shape that I can't recognise it and it sends me to the beginning and I feel like all my efforts were for nothing . Like it keeps beating me every time. I always afraid of my next setback and I keep feeling insecure and unstable until I have a relapse . Whenever I go through a problem, even the smallest problems, I feel stuck and suffocated and unable to face it with normal flexibility. I always focus on the details of each process so that if I forget how to do it or how I reached the ability to accomplish it, I remember how I did it before. And when I am unable to remember, the overwhelming feelings and frightening haunt me I feel like I'm monitoring my life in every detail so I feel safe, and if life goes smoothly and automatically,I feel frightened Sometimes I can face and deal with OCD in a good way to the point that I can return to my normal life rhythm, but suddenly the desire inside me to achieve and make up for what I missed takes me by surprise, and then an OCD attack takes me back to the beginning and reminds me that I am not as I was before. I feel that I cannot live and achieve what I want and face OCD at the same time. I am studying medicine and I am thinking of leaving it, even though I love it very much, but I am unable to study now, but if I leave it, what I am going through in my study of medicine in any other field will be repeated. Even when I am not doing anything I feel these feelings tie me up , like I feel I don't wanna do anything until these feelings disappear I have been in this state for 4 years. I feel that all my friends are moving forward and I am stuck. Is all of this OCD? I am very lost.
- Date posted
- 14w
So I’m new to this app and I knew there was something wrong w/ my brain for a few years now. I’m a professional volleyball player and was playing in France last year while in a long distance relationship. I would ruminate and think that one small thing was going to ruin my career every. Single. Day. And I have the fear that I NEEDED to end warm ups with a good hit or else I would play terribly. I had constant fears that my teammates don’t trust me and think I’m bad - when in reality and looking at the statistics I was one of the best players on the team - the fearful ruminating keeps me awake at night and it would get so bad that I would break into a rash on my neck. Lots of rashes from anxiety and over thinking :( My relationship was new but it was long distance. I never experienced this in my life: my mind became OBSESSED with the idea he might be ugly. I couldn’t stop thinking that he was ugly and feared that that meant I needed to break up with him and I felt like a terrible person constantly and the thought ate me alive - I was constantly googling about it to try and get some relief which I am now learning is seeking reassurance. I also have struggled with some forms of disordered eating for many years but it got so bad in France. I was binge eating a lot. I gained ten pounds in a month. I knew it and I felt it and I became OBSESSED with the idea that I’m so fat and a weak terrible person for not being able to control my binges. My therapist gave me some screener exams. I scored very highly on the anxiety test and the OCD test which blew my mind cuz I’ve never considered OCD in my whole life. I started taking Prozac which honestly I feel like saved my life. It’s been over 6 months since that point now and everything is so much more manageable. I’ve also recently learned that I may have autism as well. My brother has it and dad is convinced he has it but I was never diagnosed. I also learned I may have a bit of ADD as well recently. I’ve known I think differently for some time but this is just overwhelming and validating and confusing and a bit scary. My current obsession is worrying about my future career - I’m obsessed. I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m so afraid of my making a lot of money in the future. I take aptitude tests all the time when I get anxiety or go on Reddit to hear about other people which makes me feel okay for a little but it always comes back. My head is spinning. I just want to enjoy being 24 and having an interesting career and trust that my life will be okay but I’m so convinced that I’m going to suffer immensely if I don’t start pursuing a high paying job immediately. Im a smart girl - graduated from UC Berkeley - have done tons of networking in different industries - I have a financial plan for the future for when I start a normal job - but I cant stop this cyclical torturous thinking that I’m going to be poor and suffer immensely I also learned a few years ago I have an anxious attachment style which I thought I worked through but in my new relationship I have strong feelings for him and I feel the intense fear abandonment coming up and I’m so scared I’m gonna ruin the relationship - I thought maybe I’m just someone who needs a lot of reassurance but if I have OCD maybe that will make it worse? Feeling like I need reassurance to regulate? I just would like some help - have you experienced this? Is this even OCD? Am I making things up for attention? I’m going to bring it up with my therapist.
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