When OCD Took Over My Life

@OneDayAtATimee I totally I agree, I would tell myself that same thing throughout my journey, obviously I made sure it didn’t become a compulsion.

@OneDayAtATimee agree. I have this convo with my therapist often. I'll be having a good ocd day, do an exposure that triggers me and then I'm a mess for days.

But some therapists do recommend icbt instead of erp

@Anonymous Do not know which one is the best? Anyone with any icbt and erp treatment experience?

@Anonymous ERP is the gold standard treatment. ICBT is about reasoning with your thoughts, which is very risky as Ocd isn’t a logic based disorder and reasoning with your thoughts leads to rumination and reassurance seeking compulsions. I’ve tried to logic my way out of Ocd for over a decade and it never works lol 😅With ERP, we’re not supposed to pay any attention to those thoughts and we’re only supposed to focus on changing our behaviors (compulsing). One NOCD therapist told me that ICBT isn’t a reputable treatment for Ocd

@Hi_123 Sure thing! :)

@Crook I did. I feel like I had that feeling with multiple obsessions. The best thing I did was continue treatment without knowing what the outcome would be. I knew that if I didn’t do anything and kept giving in to the compulsion, nothing would change. But by committing to the treatment and resisting the compulsion, change was possible—it could lead to a different outcome. So, I did it.

@Crook Same

@Hi_123 - Hi, I’m sorry I just saw your comment! I was sick this past weekend and needed some time to rest, I had a little flare-up. How are you doing today?

Thank you! NOCD and ERP changed my life, thanks for all you do.

Hi, yes! I still do when I acknowledge and accept my thoughts when OCD decides to show up. It's part of the process, try to sit with the uncomfortableness without giving into the compulsion. :)

@AnonymityK Okay, yeah it’s really just this one thought I really feel like if I get over it I’ll be okay. Thank you :)

@Ericseal18 Ah, yes! I’ve had that same sentiment before. Some thoughts are stickier than other.

@Hi_123 Hi, what’s going

@Hi_123 It sounds like you’re really struggling with this thought, and I can see how upsetting it is. OCD is ego-dystonic, meaning it goes against your values and who you are, which is why it feels so hard. Are you currently in ERP therapy? If you are, I know it’s tough, but sitting with the uncertainty—without trying to figure it out is part of the process. You don’t need to figure out why this happened; whether it was out of frustration or something else. That’s exactly what OCD wants. It happened, and that’s all. What matters is how you respond to it. If you focus on living by your values; being kind, responsible, and caring for others;that’s what defines you, not the doubts OCD throws at you. Resisting compulsions, like confessing or asking for reassurance, will help weaken OCD over time. If you’re not in ERP, I really recommend looking into it, as it can help you get through this. You don’t have to go through this alone.

@Hi_123 I understand how distressing this is for you, but I can’t tell you if you’re a good or bad person because I don’t know, and it’s not for me to say. What I can tell you is that OCD, might be making you question things that aren’t true. The best person to help you work through these thoughts and feelings is a therapist who understands OCD. I can only speak from my own experience, but therapy, especially ERP, has been key for me in handling this uncertainty. You need a therapist who can guide you through this and give you the support you deserve.

@Hi_123 I understand you’re looking for clarity on whether this makes you a good or bad person, but that’s something only you and a therapist can really explore together. I don’t have much personal experience with POCD, I know that NOCD has a search bar, you can see if someone else has had a similar experience.

Hi, I wasn’t on any medication, but I know many people who are. Everyone’s journey is different, but I knew that if I ever needed it, it was an option. Are you in therapy? How is your journey going so far?

That uncertainty and doubt sound a lot like OCD. Everyone’s journey is different—some people do ERP without medication, while others find it helpful for support. It’s a personal decision, and your therapist can help you figure out what’s best for you. Medication isn’t necessarily forever—it depends on your needs. I now see my therapist twice a year for check-ins, but I know she’s there if I ever need her. ERP has given me tools to manage things on my own.

@AnonymityK Aww yay:) I’m happy for you. Gives me hopeeee

I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling, know you’re not alone in this, Sending you so much strength and support. Thank you for following me!

@Mamag3 Me too

@Dreamydream Everyone journey is different, I started feeling better after 12 weeks of ERP Theraphy .

@AnonymityK Do you still have the intrusive thoughts everyday?

@Dreamydream I don’t. My life has been pretty great, once in a while I will get one but I manage them. Are you thinking of starting therapy?

@AnonymityK I actually just started therapy last Wednesday seeing her again Tuesday. Feels like forever waiting for the next week to come to talk to her again and feel better. I’m scared everyday that i won’t get better and I’ll be living like this and i just can’t /: i just want recovery so bad and to be able to live my normal life again

@Dreamydream I completely understand that fear—I felt it too. Waiting for the next appointment can feel agonizing. But good things take time, and we don’t want to rush the process. I know how scary it can be, but sometimes things have to feel hard before they get better. You’re already taking the right steps, and that matters. Have you signed up for any support groups? They can be really helpful in between appointments.

@AnonymityK No - where do you find them?

@Dreamydream Are you taking ERP thought NOCD? They have them available through the app or you can search the IOCDF website you can do a search for them.

@AnonymityK I’m not /: seeing a outside therapist