I’m fairly new to this, by that I mean I’ve had it for a good long while now but it’s only gotten bad and gotten diagnosed recently. With that, what’s some stuff I should probably know right off the bat?
It’s gonna get harder before it gets easier. But you got this 💪🏻💪🏻
Hey Jesse, I'm sorry that you're going through a rough patch right now, but I'm glad that you got diagnosed so that you now have an understanding of what you've been going through. It really is an eye opening diagnosis and I wanted to let you know that you're not alone. There's so many of us that struggle with this disorder and are in this fight together of bettering ourselves mentally. First off, I wanted to say, if you're not seeing an OCD specialist for therapy, then you need to do so. The gold standard of treatment for OCD is called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), conventional therapy often exacerbates OCD oddly enough as it only serves to reinforce those obsessive and compulsive cycles. Know that your OCD may change or morph throughout the years to different themes, or, as you've seen, vary in intensity. That's completely normal, it happens to all of us. Certain things may trigger either of the above to happen, but the most important thing to do is recognize that what you're experiencing is OCD and ensure that you take care of yourself and utilize the tools in therapy that will help you. Some things that I've noticed for myself that help reduce the symptoms are having a big focus on physical health and going to the gym/getting outside and getting some sunshine. Guided mindful meditation has been helping me too, I'm currently on a 60 day streak. Getting out and spending time with friends and family, doing things I love and not letting OCD rule me are key. Also, making sure I do household chores and force myself to not "wallow" in my OCD are key. I really struggle a lot of the time to be honest, but the most important thing is to keep on pushing. OCD is a chronic problem, meaning that it will always be there. However, you can learn to manage it with therapy, focusing on your health, medication (if you choose to do so) and a mental attitude of resilience and forward progress. You got this.
@OCDNoThankYe This was all very informative and appreciated, thank you
You can go awhile feeling good and have a flare up randomly. Thats going to happen and it’s okay❤️ (I’m still trying to learn this)
Well, accepting the uncertainty and learning to sit with the anxiety is one. I think specifics could help people offer more helpful advice, but only if you're comfortable with sharing! :)
@nae nae Sitting with it is something I’m defiantly struggling with lately because it’s just been, to put it simply, scary but I’ve been working on it. I’d love to give more specifics but in a way it’s like it’s all so new I don’t even know what those would be if that makes any sense
@Jesse Shoemaker It makes perfect sense! I'm also recently diagnosed, but I've suspected OCD for a few months now. I struggle sitting with it, too, at times. It really is the key to starving the thoughts, though. It's helped me weaken a few thoughts that once plagued me constantly. Now, they're barely there, and it's great. I hope you'll be able to do the same, and I believe you will! :) This is an online resource, but Nathan Peterson on YouTube is someone who really helped me reach the point I'm at now. He has really helpful videos and playlists for every theme you could think of. Just thought I'd share in case you are curious and want to check it out!
I don't really know much I just know I'm suffering everyday
Im new here so im not exactly sure what im supposed to be doing but my therapist recommended that I start using this platform. I have had OCD my whole life as does my mom and her parents, but I never had a formal diagnosis until about 5 years ago. Recently my OCD has been absolutely taking over my life and it is just so mentally exhausting. I know there’s nothing “wrong” with me but I really wish that I just didn’t have OCD. I really just want to be able to exist without all of these obsessions. I’ve seen a few posts from people just talking about experiences so if anyone has any tips on how best to use the platform that would be great! On a funnier note - I’m pretty open about my OCD and I mention it to a coworker and there response was “Do you really have that or is that just something you say”. And my response was oh yeah no I really have it and it really impacts every minute of everyday in my life and they were just like 😶
Hi everyone, my name is Kendal and I am new here, although I do not believe I am new to OCD in the SLIGHTEST. Im about to leave my 20s behind and begin a new chapter of my life. Everyone says your 30s are suppose to be the best right? I am proud of myself for making a huge step forward, before the beginning of this new chapter. I’ve been experiencing symptoms of OCD for as long as I can remember. These feelings, thoughts, compulsions have been existing with me since middle school. They’ve manifested in many many different ways throughout the years, and continue to evolve as I get older. I’ve experienced emetophobia, obsessive thoughts about passing out or getting sick in front of people, contamination OCD, white coat syndrome and the newest culprit… Harm OCD. In middle school, it was extremely hard to understand WHY I felt the way I felt, and experienced the intense anxieties that I did. Over the years I kind of just put up with these thoughts and feelings of uneasiness.. and thought it was just regular ol’ anxiety. Recently the harm OCD came through, triggered by a traumatic event. Lemme tell ya… if you’ve ever experienced harm OCD… I am terribly sorry. It’s absolutely horrifying. It scared me so badly, to the point of actually seeking professional help. During that extreme anxiety inducing time, I was also terrified to tell a professional what was happening to me. I started with telling my husband first. What a RELIEF! I learned that telling someone made me feel so much better so I thought, man… I wonder what telling a professional would do for me? RELIEF!!!!! She helped me realize that yes this is a very very real thing people experience daily. She’s suggested therapy to pair with medication. I’ve given the medication about a year to do its thanggg and goodness, what a difference. I wish I got help earlier but hindsight is 20/20. This is me, now ready to implement therapy. I’m ready to gain a better understanding, collect coping skills and chat with people who have had similar experiences. Thinking you’re alone in OCD is incredibly isolating and scary. I am happy to finally realize I am not alone.
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