- Date posted
- 6w ago
Some coping strategies?
Anyone have any good coping strategies when they have an ocd flare up or attack?
Anyone have any good coping strategies when they have an ocd flare up or attack?
When I'm really struggling, I try to do an activity that makes me feel like I'm in control of my own body again and it grounds me. For me, skiing and driving both really help. The aspect of being able to be in control of what I'm doing and where I'm going, while appreciating scenery, helps a ton. I know a few of my friends really like to do yoga, draw, play guitar, or go outside and that's helped them a ton as well. I think what's most important to get out of an attack is grounding yourself and getting out of your head for a second to appreciate something. For me personally, it's pretty tough to spiral about something when I'm looking at how big the mountains are and how beautiful the trees are and the snow. All of that really gets me outside of my head. It doesn't minimize my thoughts, but it reminds me that I'm not my thoughts, and that I can approach them however I need to.
sometimes i have to take a few extra minutes of quiet alone time in the midst of a busy day to really give myself the time and space to practice ERP and give myself gentle reminders. the other day i had to delay my entrance to church (having already made it late) and even missed the worship service just so i can try to bring myself down from a panic attack. be kind, gracious, and patient with yourself. progress is not linear and no day will ever be perfect. this is a challenge but you’re doing the hard things anyway!
Im not sure if this is an OCD flare up or attack but I’ve had situations where my OCD got so stressful where I cry and yell for hours because its saying too many things at once and I cant think what to say anymore, but I couldn’t finish some of the compulsions since it was getting too much so I think my ocd made me not eat for 2 days instead uh that doesn’t really help- dont so that. But i have had situations where a compulsion has lasted for a while and i feel like its going to end up being like an ocd attack so I tried finishing what i wanted to do 1 more time then walk away quick but it seemed to be more then 1 more time but maybe u could try that? Like Try to say or do 1 more thing and walk away and convince the OCD to stop because its getting too much and u will not eat a certain food in ur house instead sorryyy! Im not goood at advice , these are things ive had to do T^T/ okay this is terrble advice hmmm!!! Just try say something like no thanks and walk away?
@xxoxxooo I just experienced this for the first time im new on the app I guess that’s what most people are saying, to just sit in the discomfort. I can’t imagine doing that every time
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with intrusive thoughts&images. At first i had intrusive thoughts around my partner, now it’s centred around me & I can’t be around window ledges or medication due to a story I read online(it’s too triggering for me) . Sometimes I feel like I can’t leave my bed due to the thoughts being so overwhelming I just break down and want to sleep. I aren’t taking any medication or therapy yet. I worry that if I don’t give my thoughts a reaction that my thoughts are true and not OCD. I’ve had these thoughts 24/7 for 2 months.
So maybe the title wasn't the best to to put it but when you guys start having obsessive thoughts how do you stop them before it turns into compulsions and anxiety?
Does anyone have any experience with this? I wake up early with severe, severe anxiety and nothing seems to help. I try embracing the anxiety, breathing, and exercising. But these things only seem to help a little. Fortunately, I do think the length of the attacks are getting shorter (mainly because I'm still trying my best to live normally in spite of them), but they are still lasting a good 5-6 hours. They are quite debilitating. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with these? I've read much about potential solutions (being okay with the anxiety), but I was looking for some personal antecdotes. Thank you
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