Enough! I’m done living my life by OCD’s Rules.

I spend almost all day trying to figure out how to defeat OCD. I have little faith in myself actually beating it, because I’m actually scared of the disorder itself. I’ve been in a relapse since November. I know from past history, that the constant search for answers and reassurance seeking gets you nowhere. So, the only thing I know to do is to stop all of that and just dive head first back into life. I have a lot of mental compulsions, and I’m not sure how to disengage from them, but I know how to stop searching google, Reddit, and this forum. No wonder I’m not improving in ERP. I can at least do that. I mean when it has gotten as bad as it has for me, where it is 24/7 and ruining things you love, I’ve got to buck back at it somehow. We only get one shot and the one shot is short. I’m not spending it like this anymore. I’ll either get better or I won’t. But at least I will have tried.

Nica

Date posted: 43w

Here’s a bunch of resources for ERP and handling OCD before you hop off this app: -The Psychology of Seeking Reassurance: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/reassurance-seeking-ocd-anxiety-how-to-stop-cycle -5 Things To Do Other Than Compulsions: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/five-things-to-do-instead-of-compulsions -Somatic OCD & How To Treat It? https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/what-is-somatic-ocd -What is Rumination? https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/the-rumination-trap -Confessing compulsion vs. healthy sharing: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/ocd-compulsive-confession-vs-healthy-sharing -What’s Pure O OCD? https://www.verywellmind.com/pure-o-primarily-obsessional-ocd-4159144 -Intrusive Thoughts: Images, Sensations, and Stories by Dr. Martin Seif: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-with-a-sticky-mind/202305/unwanted-intrusive-thoughts-images-sensations-and-stories -Therapy in a Nutshell’s Playlist on Panic Attacks: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiUrrIiqidTWhubkHEJcr6iTLVRxXZmPE&feature=shared -OCD vs. GAD Differences: https://ocdla.com/ocd-vs-gad-7071 -How To Stop Rumination Video: https://youtu.be/CkcspsmLh9k?feature=shared -ERP scripting: https://www.shalanicely.com/aha-moments/erp-scripting-for-ocd/ -Forgiveness for Past Mistakes Video: https://youtu.be/2Lq1Su3mEHw?feature=shared -The Hidden Power of Swearing at Your OCD: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/beyond-the-doubt/201711/the-hidden-power-of-swearing-at-your-ocd -Taking The Power Away From OCD: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/taking-the-power-away-from-intrusive-thoughts -ERP Worry Script: https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/WorryScript.pdf -What is ERP therapy? https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ocd-treatment/erp/ -What’s An OCD Trigger? https://psychcentral.com/ocd/what-is-an-ocd-trigger -Grounding Techniques: https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/grounding-techniques -OCD vs. Anxiety Disorders: https://www.talkspace.com/mental-health/conditions/articles/ocd-vs-anxiety/ -ERP Techniques for Reassurance video: https://youtu.be/D1O3RGnLjRM?feature=shared

Crook

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 43w

@Nica I appreciate this more than I can express

Nica

Date posted: 42w

@Crook You got this!

Crook

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 42w

@Nica I wish I woke up with as much confidence as I had when I posted this last night lol. But, the post is still true. I know I have to stop what I’m doing now in order to get better. The cycle has to end. I guess I will have to just face the fact that there is no magic answer and healing takes time.

Nica

Date posted: 42w

@Crook Sometimes you gotta fake it ‘til you make it.

Crook

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 43w

On a side note, if anyone has any tips on how to stop mentally checking for thoughts, I’ll gladly accept them before I stop checking this app.

Nica

Date posted: 43w

Yes, you got this! He sick and tired of being sick and tired and rock your recovery ❤️‍🩹

LKRoseCity

Date posted: 43w

No, i feel the same as you. Just live with how i am and try and sleep the thoughts off or keep hands busy and music on. But dont feel a huge change happening for me but maybe more of - growing out of or switching obsessions here and there. But try and accept myself, as long as you are not making anyone a victim of your disorder.

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