Does anyone else's OCD get worse when you haven't slept well? I haven't been sleeping well since this weekend and my OCD and anxiety is just making me feel super down. Does anyone else have this problem?
Hi there! I am a licensed therapist at NOCD. I'm sorry to hear that you have not been sleeping well and it is making you feel super down. Yes, sleep deprivation can and will exacerbate OCD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and other life functions. It is important to create a consistent sleep, food intake, and daily schedule. I commend you for your insight and awareness, which a a great step in addressing how you are feeling. Are there other things you are noticing with your OCD and anxiety that might be impacted?
Because OCD can be triggered by stress, and lack of sleep can cause stress, that can absolutely happen. I know it happens to me when my sleep isn't on point.
It makes a lot of sense that your OCD and anxiety feel worse when you haven’t been sleeping well. Sleep plays a big role in emotional regulation, and when we’re exhausted, intrusive thoughts can feel even more overwhelming. You’re definitely not alone in this—many people with OCD notice an increase in symptoms when they’re sleep-deprived. While we can’t always control our sleep perfectly, focusing on good sleep habits—like keeping a consistent bedtime, reducing screen time before bed, and practicing relaxation techniques—might help. At the same time, it’s important to continue responding to your OCD thoughts in a way that aligns with your ERP work. Even if your anxiety feels heightened, remember that you can still choose how to respond to it.
Oh 100% yes. I have learned I need a good 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night to stay sane, or my mental health really starts to suffer and my OCD symptoms get worse!
Anyone struggle with this with having ocd?
Does anyone Else’s ocd flare up bad when in stressful life situations? I was doing amazing and now that I’m having some drama with my life it seems to have come back with a vengeance. Anyone else?
Does anyone else ever feel like they don’t feel “bad enough” to have OCD, or that they don’t feel “the right way” for it? Or like they’re just saying they have OCD as an excuse? Because i was so much better for like 3 weeks now and now im on my period and i started doubting again. So because of that im scared that i was feeling to good and that my fear is actually true.
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