I'm Jennifer, a NOCD Therapist. Ask Me Anything in the comments below!

Hey there, it absolutely can be a part of the OCD experience. OCD can be pretty sneaky in how it presents and what it asks for. While I can't offer certainty about your specific situation, a trained ERP therapist would be able to help guide you in these instances.

You're very welcome!

Derealization can be a very common symptom of OCD. While it can be initially a pretty scary experience, the first step in moving through it is to embrace that it is happening without fueling OCD further with compulsions. Here is a link to an article that may give insights you are looking for! https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/related-symptoms-conditions/can-ocd-cause-derealization

@Lschuman#123 I totally relate to this.

Hi, this sounds like a hard situation to move through. Kudos for reaching out for insight on potential solutions! I often hear Members ask "how can I make these thoughts/images etc. go away"? Therein lies the problem with OCD. What we resist, persists. While it takes time and a lot of skill, the first step is always embracing the presence of OCD. We don't have to like that it's around, just allow it to be present without resisting it. Then we can move into reducing and eliminating compulsions. ERP can be very helpful in guiding this process with concrete steps and skills!

Kudos for bringing this up and seeking support and guidance. I completely understand how scary this experience can be. When working on this with a Member my advice is always the same, embrace the experience and the uncertainty while moving forward with what you were doing before the sensation occurred. For example: maybe you're eating dinner while watching TV, a trigger appears on screen, the groinal response occurs, then instead of giving OCD compulsions to try to figure out what it means, we simply allow the sensation to be there and return to eating dinner and watching TV. Here is an article that might be helpful! https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/ocd-stats-and-science/why-ocd-can-cause-a-groinal-response-and-what-you-can-do-about-it#h-what-is-the-best-way-to-respond-to-an-unwanted-groinal-response

@NOCD Therapist - Jennifer D. So it doesn't mean I'm attracted to that? Because many times I have thoughts like " I love this X person" or " I'd do something sexual to that person" when I don't want to. Currently seeing a local counselor btw.

@misereri - Hey there, you're correct. It does not have to mean that you are attracted to that person or thing. I am glad you have the support of a counselor. Are they trained in ERP? If they are, then they should be able to support you in pushing back against OCD, embracing the discomfort and living in alignment with your values :)

@NOCD Therapist - Jennifer D. Hi! I got no idea if they are but I hope so because these thoughts ruin the quality of my life and I can't do anything without then being triggered.

@misereri - Hey! Living with OCD can be rough until you have the right support and treatment. Kudos for being willing to learn how to push back. Please do ask your clinician if they are ERP trained, if not, you would benefit from looking into adding an ERP trained clinician to your life! We have some great ones here if you ever want to try us!

@NOCD Therapist - Jennifer D. Hi, well I figured. I don't have an ocd diagnosis yet but I think the local counselor might've picked up on it. I'll try to see if they are specialized.

@Anonymous12345** Absolutely. This is very common in OCD. I experience it too. When you test yourself you are hyperaware and your brain thinks the thought is important, creating the feeling that you enjoy it. Plus your brain processes things differently when it knows they aren’t real

@andrewt_ How can it make you enjoy something that you’d hate in reality? Pleas explain and help

@Anonymous12345** When you are testing your reaction to a thought you are confusing your brain. You are giving the thought importance so your brain may send signals that feel like enjoyment. It’s a common experience when you have OCD. You may also think you enjoy it even if you actually don’t. Sometimes you can confuse a lack of a reaction with enjoyment. Either way, you have to try to stop imagining these things. It makes OCD worse

@andrewt_ It's like the placebo effect, isn't it? Like when you feel like something is healing you, but it's not really, you only feel it because you anticipated it. Something like that can happen with OCD, that you confuse your own brain

@Tireddd Absolutely!! That’s spot on

@Tireddd It is not healing. Just having s thought or scenario that i knew wouldnt heal but just had the thought anyway

@andrewt_ What if you’ve actually enjoyed the idea, not the thought

@Anonymous12345** Still OCD

@andrewt_ Thank you!

@Tireddd That something in no way is healing me. It is something i hate the most.

@andrewt_ Hey andrew can you help I've seen many of your posts??? I am 16 and i have symptoms of hocd but I am not clinically diagnosed with hocd so whenever I have feelings of flase attraction I mean can teens like me have false attraction or am i exploring my sexuality ..???? Hope you respond...🙏

@ONE INDIAN GIRL I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling! Yes, OCD will cause extremely realistic feelings that make you question yourself. This is typical for every single theme. It’s the way an OCD brain works. Your brain is capable of generating any and every feeling. What you have to do is let all thoughts and feelings be there. Do not fight against them because that only strengthens OCD. You have to train your brain to realize that none of these thoughts or feelings have actual meaning. However, because of OCD, you give them meaning by analyzing and doing compulsions

@andrewt_ Thanks

@andrewt_ One more question if I may. Can intrusive thoughts come in the form of if you did this oh look then this. Knowing that I dont even want to do that. But it tells this.

@Anonymous12345** Yes that’s very typical for OCD, it’s just another manifestation of an intrusive thought

Hi there, I agree with what Andrew has been sharing. His insight is very good. OCD can be sneaky and very convincing. It's a tough competitor however it can be very well managed with good quality ERP. Have you considered a course of ERP treatment?

@andrewt_ I couldnt know how to contact you as I have that question in mind. I was like just sitting having fun, out of a sudden i had that intrusive thought that seemed kind of enjoying. I tried to examine it, the moment i started imaging it, it seemed interesting with the scenarios it had and it also gave an intrusive image that i didnt react to. The more i got into the details, the more i found them joyful. However, when i get back to reality, i hate all of it and i feel scared. However, i try to rationalize what happened by telling myself that i may have enjoyed the idea, not the thought. But i need explanation please. If you can help?

@Anonymous12345** I know it’s not easy but you have to try not to examine the thoughts. Literally everyone with OCD feels like they enjoy them. Every one of us. I know it’s horrifying but it’s not based on reality. If OCD can convince some people they’ve done things they’ve never done or that they have horrible diseases it is more than capable of convincing you that you like the thoughts. You have to show your mind that you don’t owe it an explanation. Analyzing the thoughts is tempting but does more harm than good. No amount of testing will ever leave you with long lasting certainty. This fight is won by no longer engaging with OCD and living your life despite your worries. Trust me, I know it’s not easy. But it’s necessary for recovery

@Anonymous12345** it happens to me too. Especially in combination with the groin and the idea that I can act on it. And with an urge I can even, I want... if you understand me... and that's why I like that feeling... always followed by the fear of what the truth is... like I don't want something and my brain and body react...

@andrewt_ it happens to me too. Especially in combination with the groin and the idea that I can act on it. And with an urge I can even, I want... if you understand me... and that's why I like that feeling... always followed by the fear of what the truth is... like I don't want something and my brain and body react...

@Anonimus ME🫥 One time I got an urge out of nowhere when I wasn’t even struggling with OCD like an urge to do a weird thing during a hug and I moved my body and it makes me feel like a monster so I’m with you on that just know you aren’t alone in this and I’m sorry you’re going through it

@andrewt_ Thank you... yes I had that too.... now while I'm actively fighting, my groin attacks me the most, I feel that I like it and it seems like a "fantasy"... it's a hard fight for us, but it's always easier to know that you're not alone..

@andrewt_ I know I have asked a lot of questions, I hope this is the last one. Do intrusive thoughts disguise themselves as compulsions sometimes? Having thoughts like “look this is now a solution,” even though I super don’t want the thought. Please help? It is intrusive right? Not a compulsion because I don’t want it

Hi Sheryl, thanks for the question. With contamination concerns I always like to ask, what was the last thing OCD took away from you? Let's start there, take that back. Begin using it as you can, the more frequently the better, while resisting the urge to decontaminate before, during and after the use. However that may look for you, reducing or eliminating handwashing, cleaning, showering etc. When this begins to feel more routine, add in the next to last thing OCD took away from you, and repeat. If you're interested in learning more about treating Contamination based OCD concerns, check out this blog post! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/contamination-ocd-fear-of-germs

Hi there, thanks for sharing this experience. OCD can be such a pain and so creative in how it presents! Yes, I have definitely supported Members through these types of obsessions. I would encourage you to consider how did you change your responses to the other obsessions, the one you were expecting before OCD played the trick? How can you then apply those same skills to this situation? Typically, it would be some variation of accepting the presence of OCD, acknowledging/ embracing the uncertainty while refusing to give OCD any compulsions and moving back into what you were doing before OCD entered the conversation. Does this make sense?

@Jennifer Dalimonte Yes thank you. This one has been extra sticky as my OCD keeps screaming that there’s no getting out of this one as it was my own thoughts and so it kind of has proof 😢 i am only just starting therapy and done very little actual ERP work yet but I am constantly triggered by all kinds so find it exhausting! Usually I find myself having to let the anxiety be there while going about my day feeling uncomfortable and then my OCD will latch to something else it’s exhausting

@hereintheUK - That is such an exhausting experience. I am hopeful that through ERP and embracing the discomfort now, you will find long term relief. In case it's helpful for motivation or simply a reminder of what you are working so hard for, here is a video on recovery, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Dfaf01hZs

Hi there, this can be such a tough position to be in. Thanks for reaching out for support! The first step in moving on from OCD is to accept the presence of the intrusive thoughts. This can feel impossible to start, however there are many skills we can develop to support us in doing this. Here is an article with some very practical tips on where to begin. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/effective-ways-you-can-respond-to-unwanted-thoughts

You are most welcome, thank you for being part of the NOCD Community!

Hey there, thank you for sharing this experience. It sounds as though you did indeed experience something that can be common, sleep paralysis. It's unfortunate, but not surprising, that OCD is latching onto this experience and now using it for it's own benefit. If you have worked through other obsessions in the past with ERP, I would ask how would you transition those skills to this obsession? We would need to first acknowledge that compulsively attempting to figure it out through rumination is not going to bring the clarity we seek. What skills have been helpful in the past with reducing and eliminating rumination for you? Here's a wonderful article for you to reference if needed! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/5-strategies-for-breaking-the-cycle-of-rumination?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NOCD_PM_US&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_NC9BhCkARIsABSnSTZ8cdSZcMj37QZOJCVEXAFblT73Cp9zKyMZjI0JyroAs4Eh9gGmiGEaAq10EALw_wcB

Hey Crook, thanks for the questions. Compulsively checking anything can be one of the symptoms that keep us from long term recovery. If this checking feels almost automatic, I would encourage you to consider how you could undo the compulsion. To undo a compulsion simply means to bring uncertainty back into the experience. So if you checked to see if something was still a trigger, then noticed after it was a compulsion, you could say something to yourself like "maybe that check was wrong, maybe it is a trigger and I didn't notice" etc, you'll notice the distress start to rise and this is when you lean in with your response prevention skills, resist checking again and move on. As for your concern about struggling to cut out compulsions completely, I completely understand. I would really encourage you to lean into self compassion here. There is no perfect timeline, perfect response prevention strategy or perfect recovery. What does exist is real life, which is often messy, never perfect and continuously changing. Lean into real life, challenging OCD with response prevention and embrace the process. This helps to create progress in the long run.

@Jennifer Dalimonte Thank you for your response, especially about real life.

@Crook - You are most welcome!

Hey there, this does sound like a tough spot to be in. OCD is certainly being very loud now and creating a lot of chaos. While this is not typically a fun place to be, it is a great starting point to begin challenging OCD and taking your life back. As you challenge OCD, consider purposefully choosing your values over your fears, repeatedly. As we move towards our values, we will purposefully move through the OCD fears and eventually regain our lives. If you are interested in learning a little more about how to begin this process, read over this article! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/relationship-ocd

Hi there, a licensed therapist would be happy to support you in processing your concerns and lending insight into beneficial treatments. It's what we're here for!

@NOCD Therapist - Jennifer D. It's very appreciated, so much🙏🏾! I'm looking forward to it😇

@Del19 - You're most welcome!

Hello, what a wonderful question. Supporting semi independent children with OCD can feel difficult, however you are not alone! NOCD has support groups for Members loved ones to join and learn about methods to support the person, not OCD, while building their own community of support. If your child is amenable, you could also create a plan to join a session with them and learn from their therapist about how to best support your child while not providing reassurance or accommodations to OCD. Here is a brief video with insights as well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZVIeBV9M-c

Hi there, this can actually be a common experience within OCD. In short, it can occur while the brain is trying to find a way to manage the distress resulting from the unwanted thought by focusing on it and misinterpreting the presence of the thought.

@Jennifer Dalimonte it happens to me too. Especially in combination with the groin and the idea that I can act on it. And with an urge I can even, I want... if you understand me... and that's why I like that feeling... always followed by the fear of what the truth is... like I don't want something and my brain and body react...

Hi again, absolutely intrusive thoughts can and do sometimes occur in rapid succession.

Hi there, it is absolutely one of OCD's favorite tricks :) please remember OCD loves to tell stories and confuse possibility with probability!

Hey there, I completely understand where this question is coming from. OCD loves to use this idea to keep us stuck in compulsive cycles with the intention of making the thoughts stop. You may not be aware, most of the population experiences intrusive thoughts. What differs between the clinical (has OCD) and non-clinical (does not have OCD) populations is their response to the thoughts. While we cannot make the thoughts stop, we can over time reduce the significance felt when they are present and reduce the impact it has on our lives. If you'd like to learn more, take a look at this video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiukCDkNPcY&list=PLJwbxpxualYpcX3SPEgNVbTEOI7gXeA5x&index=8

Hi, I am sorry to hear how ROCD is impacting your life. If you're looking for help, here is a brief video on steps to consider to take back your life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGTDv6mzrkU

Hi, thank you for asking this question. To truly answer the question I would need to understand a bit more about your situation and what transpired prior to emotional numbness occurring. No matter what preceded the loss of emotions, clinicians would always encourage leaning into your healthy routines (sleep, exercise, nutrition), engaging pro-socially with friends and family and continuing to engage in values based activities (things that matter most to you). OCD will attempt to latch on here, create checking compulsions, comparison compulsions and even ruminate about larger potential meanings behind it all. Please do your best to reduce and eliminate the compulsions and embrace each moment as it is. Here is an article to reference if you'd like, https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/why-do-i-feel-numb

Hi, great question. In short, we break free from the OCD by choosing to "do differently". Meaning, instead of running from the distress or fear, we choose to embrace the distress, discomfort and uncertainty. We embrace this all while not doing what OCD wants us to do (the compulsions). Instead, we choose values based actions that help us return to living our lives, not the lives OCD has dictated. Here is a recent article that may give you additional insight! https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/what-is-erp

Hi Buz, it absolutely is a fear I hear often from our Members with OCD. This fear is usually rooted in something a bit deeper, like a fear of "what if I'm actually a terrible person". OCD likes to use this fear to demand compulsions with the intention of finding certainty, but we all know how that works out in the long run :)

@Jennifer Dalimonte Thank you!

@Buz - You are very welcome!

Hey there, thank you for sharing this. This experience is incredibly common. OCD loves to change subtypes and unfortunately, OCD knows what to target to keep us stuck and focused on it. It will target the topics that are the most difficult for us to embrace uncertainty around. For the Members I have worked with where their OCD has focused on suicide, they tend to love life. They truly want to live and have big goals. Because the obsessions were in direct contrast with their goals and values, it was very hard to disregard their presence initially. Through good quality ERP, they were able to do so and moved back into living those beautiful lives OCD attempted to distract them from.

Hey there, this is an excellent question! I like that you're already looking for an ERP therapist. When you are considering ERP therapists, I would encourage you to ask about their experience with it. Where and how were they trained in it and what does their current supervision of the application of ERP look like? If they are a seasoned ERP therapist, they can speak to their training and application while they likely receive consultation on an as needed basis. If they're newer to ERP, that's okay. We just want to be sure they were trained at a reputable place and receive routine supervision or consultation on their ERP work. I might also encourage you to inquire about how they apply ERP, can they walk you through what sessions will look like? We want sessions that are heavily focused on challenging OCD together in a collaborative manner. I hope this helps!

Hi there, I can feel how important your faith is to you. This is actually the reason OCD has chosen to target it, because it is the topic that will be the most difficult for you to embrace uncertainty around. Kudos for considering starting ERP, it can absolutely be very helpful with Scrupulosity and OCD in general. ERP has been repeatedly proven to be highly effective in treating OCD, of all subtypes. It does not mean the work is easy, however it is effective and you are far more capable than OCD has let you believe. While most clinicians would encourage you and support you in upholding your faith, you can seek one that is open about their Christian faith as well. Some may be hesitant to share as they are concerned it might be providing OCD reassurance. You have every right to ask about their beliefs and accept the answers they are willing to share while making your decision.

Hey there, OCD can present in so many different ways. Each is uncomfortable and frankly, not fun. Here is a video you might find helpful, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FntPEMdEOU

@Jennifer Dalimonte Tnx🫶🏻

@Anonimus ME🫥 - You're very welcome!

Hi there, thanks for the question! Absolutely anyone can experience obsessions around their sexuality and sexual identity at any time in their life. This is a very common subtype and can happen absolutely occur within teens. While working through sexual exploration, sexual orientation obsessions and attraction can feel confusing, a licensed therapist who specializes in ERP can be a great support and guiding light. Here is an article for you to consider, https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/what-is-sexual-orientation-ocd-so-ocd-your-guide-to-this-ocd-subtype

Hey there, I actually had this conversation with a Member this morning. This can be a very common experience in ROCD, it tends to be tied with concerns that you will cause harm to your partner in some way. Were you aware that pervasive guilt can be a symptom of OCD. It tends to be based in an aversion to guilt, similarly to an aversion to distress/discomfort when anxiety arises as a symptom. I agree with your reference to challenging ROCD by making values based decisions about your actions within your relationship. When doing so, we need to continuously embrace the uncertainty present in every relationship. While we do this, we are choosing to not give in to OCD, we are doing our best not to take the bait or answer its question. Here is a good video with a primer on what I've alluded to above; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGTDv6mzrkU. Additionally, here is an article referencing guilt/shame as an OCD symptom; https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-guilt-and-shame-from-ocd

Hello there, OCD can be a challenging opponent when faced alone. If you choose to engage in ERP by yourself first, I would encourage using a workbook or self guided ERP course. The most effective way to challenge OCD and increase the likelihood of quickly reducing symptoms would be to engage in a course of ERP for OCD with a trained OCD specialist. Here is a brief video that covers how to begin ERP therapy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGtF3hzNzRc

Hey there, you're right, this is not fun at all. OCD loves to latch onto things that mean the most to us and go against our morals and values. This is what can keep us stuck in the OCD cycle, because we want so badly to avoid and make it go away. Here are a couple of wonderful video resources explaining POCD(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX4-23GJOv8) and where to begin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgW7WHWE7x0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7zGgf7GQNQ) and an article on the groinal response, https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/ocd-stats-and-science/why-ocd-can-cause-a-groinal-response-and-what-you-can-do-about-it. I hope this is helpful!

@Anonymousss7 i forgot to mention somethings. my contamination ocd revolves around my hands. showering and washing hands (washing hands in the shower) especially after washing my down below area. i don’t know why any type of body function or fluid is so unbearable to me. snot, pee, earwax , anything. it takes me forever to wash my hands after using the bathroom even at school. there’s just no relief. it’s like when i wash my hands i feel. scared- more than panic, fear. i get hot and i hold my breath (i don’t know why) i count over and over again. getting every little spot and it’s so tiring but i can’t help but do it. my problem isn’t constantly washing my hands or showering its that it takes so long when i do- do it. it’s like i can notice every little germ everywhere . and i watch other people and how they create germs. it’s just never clean anywhere. and i dont know the thought of being dirty scares me so much.

Hi there, thank you for sharing this! I would agree with what 'everyone' has been saying... give ERP a try! It can be so life changing. I can see how the overall idea of embracing uncertainty and being unclean can seem far fetched with where you are now in terms of compulsions. OCD has really muddied the waters for being able to see things clearly, let me see if I can help poke some holes in the OCD logic while encouraging you to try ERP. I understand the rationale of "feeling this clean" but here's the thing... you nor OCD actually truly know you're clean. There is no microscope use etc. that is showing an absence of germs. What OCD has used to trick you is an emotional release and has equated this to "being clean", that just right feeling. This is how the handwashing ritual has extended to 30+ minutes, because it takes more and more time to get to that release or relief that lets you know "you're clean", but you're actually probably not truly without germs in that moment. No household soap kills 100% of germs. If we were in session together, we would write out your routines and begin a collaborative plan for how to reduce them while working on embracing the distress and discomfort during the process. This would be a great place to start. I notice how motivated you seem to get your life back and quickly. Truthfully, the best place to get speedy help with this would be in ERP focused sessions with an OCD specialist! I highly encourage you to consider this!

Hey there, thanks for the vulnerability in this post. I have absolutely heard of this before, honestly it is classic OCD. OCD loves to make us believe that we could be suffering with literally anything other than OCD. It does this because if we stay focused on all the wrong things, then it wins and gets to stay in charge of our lives. Sneaky, huh? Kudos for starting the ERP process! Please be sure to share these concerns with your ERP specialist and they can guide you through how to move through this.

Good question! Has the checking on thoughts and feelings compulsion been helpful in giving you long term confidence that you are getting better? I assume not, since you're asking such a good question! This is one of OCD's favorite tricks, and it keeps us stuck in the OCD cycle. With my Members I like to highlight that recovery is an individual experience and process. It is focused on living life on your terms, in accordance with your values. I often ask my Members to engage in an activity where they write out a typical day in their recovered life, focusing on what they will be doing in that day (not feeling, we can't control those, we can only control behaviors). Then with ERP we steadily move towards this recovered life by making choices that align with their values, through which they will inherently challenge OCD. Does this make sense?

@Jennifer Dalimonte Yes this makes total sense! I try to do this, but I carry my compulsions into life with me. I guess that is what I need to stop doing.

@Crook - Exactly right! If you're ready, an ERP specialist could support you in stopping those. In case you'd like more information or want to try it on your own, check out this article! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/if-youre-struggling-to-resist-compulsions-try-these-5-strategies-instead?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NOCD_PM_US&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAn9a9BhBtEiwAbKg6foGGVswCfrCd1_HMIju74lnqDHB5DsyA2Nzp-PDchsK-OQyP1tSyOxoC-9AQAvD_BwE

Hey Emily, thank you for your question and vulnerability here. Suicidal OCD can be very common and unfortunately very commonly misunderstood by prescribers and clinicians alike, unless they are well informed on what OCD actually is. To answer your question, there is nothing off the table in terms of how OCD can present. Truthfully, anything can become and obsession and in response, anything can become a compulsion. Have you looked into how ERP could support you in moving through this experience?

Hey there, oh my goodness is this common! It's understandable to feel some shame about the compulsions because they typically aren't things we actually want to be doing, we're doing them because a little dictator (OCD) is demanding we do this to keep ourselves safe or keep something bad from happening. We can see how it isn't actually helpful in the long run, but it feels so irresponsible to just stop the compulsions altogether. Which can result in us feeling very stuck.

Hi there! I responded to your similar post on the other thread. Please go check that out :) Here's another article that might help! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/if-youre-struggling-to-resist-compulsions-try-these-5-strategies-instead?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NOCD_PM_US&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA5eC9BhAuEiwA3CKwQiSAJvPUZujk6aO7yBMXolTtmUQkBHmHeyFgTu7lKBoijPpg8wdldRoCxWUQAvD_BwE

Hi there, sorry for the delay! Here are a few links on Contamination OCD and how to address OCD, I hope they are helpful! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/contamination-ocd-fear-of-germs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8klUDBLG0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhKmY1IeFf8&t=35s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riKw294RZMw&t=63s

Hi there, my apologies for the delay in responding. Yes, remission is completely possible without medication for some people. It is a very individual decision, however research shows ERP can be highly effective for many people without medication. Here is a blog post on the topic! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/can-ocd-be-treated-without-medication

Hey there! Absolutely it is possible! Here a few instructional resources to hopefully help you begin this process! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXIllLvRUZE&t=1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCw5sBiYDmE https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/the-rumination-trap https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/5-strategies-for-breaking-the-cycle-of-rumination

Hey there, thank you for sharing this. I am so glad you have friends who reach out and are worried about you when they see changes in you. Have you thought through how you could let them know you're struggling and maybe how they could help you? You don't have to tell them everything, just what you feel would be helpful. Also, it might be helpful to find support in an OCD therapist who can guide you through challenging OCD and navigating friendships. We're always here for you, if you'd like!