Struggling During the Holiday

I am having a really hard time being home for the holidays. My intrusive thoughts are constant and loud. It sucks too, because my thoughts get triggered when I'm around one of my family members. I just want to distance myself, so I can stop the thoughts and feel like I'm not going to hurt anyone. I'm so distressed and depressed. What do you do to help calm your mind and remind yourself that you are a good person, despite what the thoughts say? I've already meditated, taken my Lexapro, and tried to remind myself that these thoughts want to attack the things I care about the most. Thanks. ❤️

Username: Dee CDee C

Date posted: 6w ago

I can relate and in my OCD journey here’s a few things I’ve learned. Part of practicing ERP is to sit with the discomfort the thoughts may incite and know that you can handle them. Keep this in mind: OCD is a liar, a bully, a leech and a thief. So we; pay no attention to the liar, brave the bully, brush off the leech and not let the thief rob another moment of our life by letting it move on. We accept the uncertainty and move forward in line with our values. Hoping this helps you and know that you’re not alone!!!

Username: dslitedslite

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 6w ago

Just know that I hear you and see you. I am going through the same thing being home and around my husband all day. It is important to sit with the thoughts but also to not give them that much attention cause that’s when we get caught up in them. It also important to say “maybe maybe not statements” as well.

Username: SolroseSolrose

Date posted: 6w ago

@dslite I love how you said we can sit with the thought, but to not engage/analyze them. I always want to analyze my harm thoughts, which triggers the feelings and urges like I want to act on them. Like a sensation in my arms, like my muscles aching or built up energy. It’s the strangest feeling. Sometimes just reminding myself “I don’t need to analyze this. It doesn’t have a deeper meaning” is helpful. It sucks how we always want that certainty and to know if we’re truly “dangerous” people or not.

Username: SolroseSolrose

Date posted: 6w ago

I hear you and understand what you’re going through. It’s can be very difficult this time of year when you have OCD. I also struggle with harm ocd and I understand the discomfort and wanting to distance myself. For me personally, the best thing you can do is to continue being with your family. I know how distressing it can feel, but you can sit with that discomfort. You can sit with the thoughts, feelings, urges, etc. Because at the end of the day, they’re just thoughts. Just feelings. I know how difficult it is to accept the unknown and uncertainty, but please know you aren’t alone. Take a day at a time with everything.

Username: savannahframe19savannahframe19

Date posted: 6w ago

i am currently going through the same but with my suicidal ocd (fear of death) it’s so tough for me rn i feel miserable and i feel like it’s not going away but i’m also doing compulsions and it’s hard bc i’m in ERP and it’s my hardest ocd theme

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 25w ago

Need some encouragement while on vacation.

Hi everyone, I’m currently on vacation and dealing with a relapse in symptoms. This started a couple of days before leaving, and it’s super frustrating to still be experiencing it. More so of “existential” OCD, and it’s really making it hard for me to enjoy things. I’m so upset because I had a few months of minimal ocd, but now this uptick in symptoms really is throwing me off and making me feel defeated. I’m trying my best to push through and not engage with the thinking, but at times it’s so hard. I feel like I’m back at square one which is terrifying. If anyone has any insight or support, please feel free to share. Thank you!

"Pure" OCD

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 22w ago

(PLEASE READ) feeling helpless

*PLEASE READ* I’ve been struggling with bad harm intrusive thoughts for a couple years now. They’ll go away for a couple of months then get triggered by something and start all over again. As much as I try to tell myself that I would never act on these thoughts I have a memory from when I was little that I was going to hurt my parents in their sleep and that memory has haunted me till now. Of course I didn’t hurt them but I thought it and I feel so guilty about it today that it makes me sick to my stomach. I love my parents so much and would never want to hurt them or anybody. I just want these thoughts to go away because they don’t line up with my values of who I am. But every time I tell myself that my thoughts are not facts that memory pops up making me feel like an awful person. I feel right now as if I don’t deserve any love from anyone because of these thoughts. I’m a believer of God and I feel as if I don’t deserve his love as well and that he has given up on me. These thoughts have also turned into a new theme of being scared I’m actually crazy and going into a psychosis. I’m just so scared and just want to be normal. As much as I tell myself ocd lies to you these thoughts have really scared me and I haven’t felt like myself in days. I’ve also struggled with health anxiety and intrusive suicidal thoughts. I know seeking reassurance isn’t good but I’m so scared.

Username: emilieb

Date posted: 20w ago

Intrusive thoughts

Recently I’ve been having scary intrusive thoughts about hurting myself or others. I’m so scared, what do I do?? I wouldn’t hurt a fly.

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Struggling During the Holiday

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