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!
This my first post and frankly I am so scared. I was diagnosed with OCD as my first diagnosis, at only 10 years old. Ever since, my OCD has COMPLETELY overtaken my mind and actions. Im scared that if I ever get my OCD figured out and under control, I may loose a part of myself, because its so familiar to me and all Ive ever known. As someone who is ready to tackle their extreme OCD thinking, where should I start? I am open to any/all suggestions. PLEASE leave any advice that you recommend and that has benefited you in your own journey!!!! Thanks!
i was recently diagnosed with ocd and i think im having a hard time identifying what is my ocd and what isn’t? or im not really sure how to express myself but i feel like i still don’t really know much about ocd and feel like an imposter saying i have it because i don’t know enough about it to really understand it? like all my life these things i would do or say or think or feel were i guess “normal” to me,, so how do i move forward when i don’t know really where to begin?
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