Relapse

So I had a session today just to express how I’ve been feeling the past few days and my therapist told me I’m relapsing. I had a major panic attack after seeing one of my biggest triggers today but I was still some how able to manage what needed to get done. I’m so defeated and depressed at the moment. The harm thoughts are so horrible right now, I feel like I am back at square one. I’m back to not eating and just wanting to stay in bed. Anybody with harm ocd that has relapsed have any tips or guidance? I feel like I’m drowning again. 😭😭

Username: TerryLee2217TerryLee2217

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 18w ago

Had a pocd episode the other day out of nowhere. Remember this is temporary and you already overcame it. It's look the flu. You may get it and it's the worse but when it happens again you have the resources you need to fight the illness and symptoms. Keep doing your ERP and coping skills. Try to stop the ruminating by doing something you love.

Username: ChristineKJ ChristineKJ

Date posted: 18w ago

I have both Harm and SOOCD and I've been going through this too! I think the first thing is remembering compassion for yourself. Especially for those of us with OCD, the term "relapse" can feel like defeat. In reality, it's often part of the recovery process which is complicated and almost never linear. Just know you aren't alone and that you can and will get through this stronger. For me personally, getting back to intentional, regular exposures, while tough, does help me break out of a relapse more quickly.

Username: HealingLadyCHealingLadyC

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 18w ago

One thing with triggers I have also learned is self compassion. In my case I would double down on being hard on myself. The anxiety then would increase without me being aware of why. I have to mindfully practice compassion and tell myself how proud I am of myself even if the OCD is scoffing in the background about what a wimp I was, or whatever the trigger brought up. I've cried while telling myself I was proud of myself for doing something tiny, and how much courage it took to do that. Your trigger probably took an enormous amount of courage for you to see even for a moment. Don't minimize that. Don't beat yourself up for having a panic attack. I would get them too and I would tell myself it was okay if I had them, because my trigger affected me, and that I deserve to be proud of what I did. Even if it may be minor to others. Even if I was crying my eyes out. Compassion and self care. And if you did have a moment, that's okay. Go reward yourself for being brave, and strong and making it through another moment. Treat yourself to the amazing person you are and all you have endured. OCD is the liar. Love yourself, be proud of yourself, call a friend and tell then you just did something really courageous, allow them to praise you, you deserve it. Triggers suck. But they don't define you. Nor does the OCD. Let yourself cry and tell yourself it's okay to cry. You are proud of you. Then spoil yourself with something lovely. ♥️

Username: Clairslemon

Date posted: 2y ago

Experieces

Have you ever experienced a relapse on ocd? I think im having one right now (i had my worst period a year and a half ago, i had to start Zoloft and therapy. Now it’s happening again but im feeling stronger than before and with more ways to cope. Someone that lived the same thing?

Username: m205633

Date posted: 2y ago

Old triggers/obsessions back and bad again?

I suffered for a really long time (approx 2 years) with Real Event/False Memory ROCD. This led to a long period of chronic guilt, rumination, mental review and confessing. I sought help last year and finally realised I had OCD (hurrah) and wasn’t totally losing my mind. I felt as though I was (prior to diagnosis) when I told my therapist… “no matter what, I’m having the same thought over and over and every time I think I’ve found a way out of it, it comes back”. I felt really suicidal and could not see my way out of it for a while. I found a lot of help online with Instagram which led me to finding NOCD and a number of their therapists. I actually started NOCD therapy last year and was finally ridding myself of these horrible shackles and seeing that my life didn’t have to be defined by memories, mistakes and fears. However, unfortunately I fell ill and a number of life changing events happened (lost a beloved pet, was in and out of hospital, my stepdad became seriously ill and hospitalised) so I gave up therapy for the time being. Since, I’ve found myself distracted from my fears, I suppose I had a new theme to focus on (my health), I’d not realised it had become compulsive but I suppose it had. Anyway, it’s been a few months and I am still unwell but finding a way around it. I also have some great news in my life, I found out I’m pregnant and am beginning a new chapter in my life and am adapting to the changes and fears that come with that. Unfortunately 2 days ago I was floored by my old obsessions, back with vengeance with none of my old tools able to help again. I’m catching myself ruminating, I am noticing old patterns of mental review returning, here I am with that gut wrenching fear in my stomach constantly and words on my tongue ready to confess to things I may or may not have done (who knows!?). I feel so unprepared for this return of old fears… I thought I’d done well and almost become un-fearful again? I’m not sure where to go from here, I’ve enquired about some ERP again and am taking those steps. I’ve grabbed my old OCD books and am ready to remind myself to step out of those cycles. But I can’t help but feel devastated that the same old scary patterns have grabbed me again. Anyone have any top tips for coping in the meantime whilst arranging some ERP again 🪴

Username: Sheeby

Date posted: 2y ago

Relapse -Existential OCD Help

Hi all! I’m experiencing a bit of a relapse after thinking I had it all figured out! I think that I was actually avoiding a lot of things and not really putting that much pressure on myself to do ERP and accept uncertainty that I allowed what was a small ball of thoughts to turn into a life shattering obsession again. I’m feeling a little discouraged, and constantly questioning the meaning of existence again. This always happens when life gets hard and I lose my footing, I question the whole world and become dangerously obsessive and it makes me suicidal. I also feel like I forgot all my tools, or I’m scared that my ERP skills won’t work anymore because I thought I got rid of it so that means it’s back to stay. I just was wondering if I could have some encouragement and reminders on how to best approach this situation and stay positive. No reassurance pls 🙏🏼

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