How do I navigate my new diagnosis?

So after my ocd has become more prominent, it gets harder to fight through these compulsion’s everyday. I don’t go to therapy or take any medications and to be honest I am very lost in my journey on how to navigate life with ocd. I don’t want it to take over my life. I want to be able to feel like I can live without a weight on my chest and to finally feel like I can breathe. Any suggestions or words of advice is more than welcome.

Username: AnxiousguyAnxiousguy

Date posted: 2d ago

Battling it is hard but can be overcome. If you don't want medication or therapy then try and train your mind to just let the thoughts be and no matter how hard it is, try not give in the the OCD thoughts. OCD is about like nagging, it will go on and on and on but if it doesn't get the reaction it wants, it'll eventually go smaller and smaller until you can cope once more. This will take time and will be difficult but writing the thoughts down, telling like minded people the thoughts, listening to music or doing something relaxing can help greatly. Once the thoughts are out, your brain will then start to think that's of my chest and in time will reside with that thought but another may appear so just try and let it be before it gets a grip once more

Username: OCD Helping HandOCD Helping ...

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d ago

I so hear that and really respect you for stepping forward and sharing! OCD is tough, especially when it begins to ramp up. My biggest advice would be to seek medical counseling from a therapist who specializes in OCD -- someone who gets it, knows how to teach ERP, and can help you get this weight off your chest. I was in a similar boat as you several years back, and seeking OCD therapy changed my life. Give it a shot and it will most likely change yours as well!

Username: Jennifer DalimonteJennifer Dal...

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 2d ago

Hey there, thank you for sharing this. Living with OCD can feel so heavy, especially without the tools to push back in a helpful way. I hear you about not feeling ready to work with an ERP specialist. That would always be my first recommendation, OCD can be so sneaky and tricky, having someone who really understands OCD and how to push back can make all the difference. As you consider your options, I will link a few resources below on where to begin with challenging OCD to get your life back. https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/what-is-erp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SLHiFHrUBI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhKmY1IeFf8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEWzOAGaypY

Username: Andrea WellsAndrea Wells

Date posted: 22h ago

First of all I want to say that I am so sorry to hear you are in such a difficult place right now. I have been there too. It can be SO hard to fight compulsions and it feels like it is taking over your life. Getting treatment is the best way to get a handle on things so you can finally get that weight off your chest and breathe again. I know you mentioned you don't go to therapy or take medications. Is there a reason why you have not pursued these options yet? Research shows that doing both of these things is the best way to get relief from OCD. I do ERP therapy and take medications and it has helped IMMENSLEY. Now I am the one in control of my life, not OCD!

Username: Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 23w ago

Progress

I’ve completed 11 sessions so far and I can honestly see progress. I’m not back to my “normal” self but I’m gaining parts of my life and my personality back. I never knew I had OCD. I always attributed things to anxiety. Being diagnosed let me know I’m not alone, I’m not crazy, and that there’s help for me. I have a long list of OCD subtypes. As you can imagine, the thoughts and images in my head were extremely distressing and I was concerned for my quality of life and my sanity. 11 sessions in and I’m able to watch shows and movies without being scared I’ll see a trigger, I can practice exposures and navigate through my obsessions better, and I’m finding joy in the little moments in life. I used to avoid so many things and people because I was scared I’d have intrusive thoughts. I still struggle with intrusive thoughts every single day. Some days and even weeks are bad and I struggle more than usual. I have mood swings, extreme irritability, and even sometimes experiencing depersonalization. Sometimes I just plain out feel uncomfortable and weird. But like my therapist said, progress is not linear. I’m learning to count my wins instead of always counting my losses. I’m learning to enjoy the little bits of life that are ok, and I feel proud when I get through hard moments. I’m excited for the future. I’m excited to see how much I progress. Sometimes I’m still scared but I know that’s my OCD trying to get me to quit because we both know this ERP therapy is helping. If you’re struggling, please seek help. It does get better. I wanted to quit after doing my first exposure. I’m so happy I didn’t. And on hard days when I want to give up, I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing to help myself.

Username: x.dulcemusician

Date posted: 21w ago

They recommend me medication for my severe OCD

Hi. I’m writing this post because I don’t know if I should be medicated again. Lexapro worked well for me, but I gained like 30 pounds. I quit because of that and honestly I thought I was able to manage my OCD well better. I was wrong, it got worse again. I wish I can do this without medication…that’s why I expose myself everyday, doesn’t matter how drained and exhausted I get. Are you guys medicated or trying to go without medicine. How is it going for you guys? Many hugs for all of you. We got this.

Username: Dennasw

Date posted: 6w ago

My first day

Hi I kept seeing this app on repeat on TikTok over and over and I thought I give it a shot. I have never been diagnosed with OCD but I know that I have it. I’m a young adult and I found out the first time I had OCD was watching lelelons truth video? I was 14 at the time She had to resist sitting back down in a chair after her having sat down she started having a mental break down when she was told to resist. That’s when I knew. It started with myself going up and down a staircase twice buckling unbuckling my seat belt everytime I’m in the car ect I have always been super anti social but trying my best I can socialize but my mind wants to make it sexual with family and friends ughhhh I hate it because that’s not me when I graduated thoughts of hurting my loved ones corrupted my mind I broke down outside of church one time asking if this was really me or not i question if I’m a good enough friend or person in this world to begin with thinking everyone is judging me so so close how can I make this situation better did I do something wrong I struggle with depression as well not to bad but it’s there I come from a loving family but broken as well i believe in god and my OCD makes me go often he’s not real that stuff isn’t real no one is there to save you the list goes on. Anyway I struggle a lot and I really hope that this will help me because I feel extremely hopeless. Lucky for me I do have the ability to seek therapy and I am excited. The only person I ever tell my thoughts to is God no other human has heard so I’m really really hoping this helps me out if your reading this thank you it means a lot because this is my first time ever admitting all this it’s a lot to take in I know and I hope you are ok and that you have a great night and know that we got this

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