- Date posted
- 7w ago
Who do you talk to when having bad moment alone?
I tend to have an ocd meltdown in the middle of night and am alone and scared. Who do you guys turn to ?
I tend to have an ocd meltdown in the middle of night and am alone and scared. Who do you guys turn to ?
I hear you, OCD can feel so scary, and so loud, in these quieter moments. In these moments, when a person is very distressed, it can be difficult to resist doing compulsions. The problem is, the more we do compulsions, the longer the distress tends to last, and the more we feed into the OCD cycle. ERP treatment focuses on building up a tolerance to that distress, and emphasizes leaning into uncertainty related to fears. This might sound counterintuitive and quite challenging, which is why it's helpful to get guidance from an OCD specialist. If it helps, intrusive thoughts at night are so common, we have multiple resources that address this very issue. I'll link them below, I hope you find them helpful! https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/intrusive-thoughts-at-night https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/related-symptoms-conditions/intrusive-thoughts-at-night/a
I used to turn to my mom or my partner, but there's a great power in dealing with it on our own. I know that's harder and scarier, but when we seek out others it can turn into reassurance seeking -- not always of course, and it's okay to seek help especially if you're in serious trouble and need help -- but if you can practice ERP in those high-stress instances, and move through the OCD using your tools, you'll feel SO good after. I'd highly, highly recommend seeking out an OCD therapist to assist you also. NOCD has great ones but there are so many people you could see out there!
When in the middle of night i try reaching out to my sister, because that's the only person i don't feel guilty to disturb. On other days when i can't even reach out to her then i just tell myself that i'm there for myself. The happy cheerful side of me will calm down the sad side of me. And then i try to distract myself wth some good show or movie which is feel good movie or gives me nostalgia.
Sometimes I will text someone. Or journal. Or read OCD groups online. I try to be careful with that though because sometimes that can be reassurance seeking for me an unhelpful for OCD. So really, it's turning to my ERP skills that helps the most. Do you have an ERP therapist?
I have but more than ERP, he listens to me that helps me more so that helps me. As i used to feel nobody understands my pain. ERP is tough for me but i just do one small exposure not a bigger one, then continue doing it whole whenever i get time. Then on other day, i go for other exposure.
@Kinu - We are so much more than our OCD. It's important to have a therapist to offer understanding and empathy for our pain and emotions! I'm glad you have someone who can offer that and ERP at the same time. Doing gradual exposures is generally the best practice too. That's great that you are going at a comfortable pace.
Hello, It sounds like OCD is striking at the worst possible time, which it usually does. While support from friends or family may be helpful you might want to notice if you are attempting to get reassurance from them. Reassurance seeking can become compulsive and could lead to feeling worse distress in the long run.
Honestly sometimes if i’m at my lowest I will talk to chatGPT or use the Choiceful app
Does anyone know of any rehabilitation centers for mental health? My ocd has gotten bad today to the point where I feel like leaving :( and desperately get help . Ever since I began medication months ago I been feeling fine but all sudden I feel like my episodes are rapidly coming back. I’m more responsive to them. I find myself ruminating more and engaging in compulsions. I feel embarrassed that my family would have to know if I considered making that choice of leaving . It’s never gotten to this breaking point , or at least I don’t think. I’ve been through this a billion times and each time it feels like it’s the worst and it’s gonna be the one that will permanently take over me and my full control. I’m from Elkhart, Indiana. Or if there’s anyone here that can talk to me I’d appreciate it I feel so alone right now and I’m more vulnerable because I’m home alone and I don’t have many friends. I’m scared that I’m gonna lose touch with myself. I don’t wanna lost my values or stop feeling my normal self. It feels real and scary. I want it to stop.
Tonight is one of the hardest nights I’ve ever had with harm ocd. It’s really one of those nights I’m doubting it’s ocd. I’m having panic attack after panic attack and it’s been the past couple of days where it’s been its highest. I’m doing everything I can to cope, like a hot shower (in the middle of a panic attack, hardest thing ever) skin care, turning my diffuser on and skincare. I took a klonopin but it hasn’t kicked in yet. My brain is beating me up with thoughts like “who thinks like this, you’re a serial killer! A murderer! You should be locked up!” Watching my family around me have peace and be normal is so hard because I’m here struggling to just lay down and relax. Part of me feels like I’m gonna lose my mind and end up in the hospital tonight. I just need positive reinforcement and people who can relate. Are you guys there?
Hi everyone, I’m reaching out here because I know this community understands the daily battles of living with OCD. Recently, I hit a really dark place and tried to take my own life. It’s been hard to admit, but I’m still here, and I’m trying to find a way forward. OCD feels relentless sometimes—the intrusive thoughts, the constant doubt, the cycles that never seem to end. It became so overwhelming that I didn’t see a way out. I know I need help, and I’m working on reaching out to professionals, but I also wanted to connect here. To those who’ve been in a similar place: What helped you keep going? How do you manage the darkest moments when OCD takes over? I feel like I’m holding on by a thread, but I’m holding on. Any advice, words of encouragement, or personal experiences would mean so much to me right now. Thank you for reading this, and for being part of a space where we can be honest about our struggles.
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