Relief followed by questioning that relief

yes i totally can relate. sometimes the anxiety “vanishes” for a short time and im convinced that i “finally” solved the problem or that it really is just an intrusive thought. doesnt last long tho and i start to question myself again.

OCD is never satisfied! You resist compulsions, it comes back, you give in, it comes back. I always encourage the message of: "I don't know.." Ex: I don't know if I got relief but I'm going to keep on sitting with it anyways Also, could telling yourself what is logical be a form of reassurance? Sounds like you're sitting with uncertainty and improving, even if it for a moment! That's progress

Yes! All too often. You’re definitely not alone in that. That’s why OCD is so frustrating to me, it’s like I know what I’m doing or thinking is foolish and won’t actually result in anything different, however I still do the compulsion “just in case”. It’s so beyond frustrating especially after moments of clarity. You’re not alone, we just need to find ways to trust ourselves again and realize we are indeed a source of reliable information.

Thats whats happening to me right now, then weeks of anxiety and doubt would take place after, a cycle

Sounds like OCD is throwing a hissy fit! Remember that OCD will never feel completely satisfied or certain of something. Once you found relief in sitting with the uncertainty (but also sounds like accepting the thought as not true is reassurance), OCD continues with those sticky "what if's" and doubting. Typical nature of the OCD. You are doing great, try sitting with those uncertainty statements of "I don't think this is true but I don't know 100%" You will feel uncomfortable, you will feel anxious, but that is what it should feel like as your tolerance builds towards accepting uncertainty. You are definitely on the right track!

Absolutely, I feel so amazing at times, then my ocd will come right back to make me feel guilty. It truly feels like our ocd hates when we have a moment of peace, sending support 🙌🏼

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's completely understandable to feel a sense of relief followed by questioning, especially when dealing with intrusive thoughts that are a part of OCD. These thoughts can often feel overwhelming, and it's a natural response to experience a mix of emotions as you navigate them. It's important to remember that your ability to resist compulsions and sit with uncertainty is a significant step forward in your journey with OCD. Compulsions often feel like they promise relief, but by resisting them, you're actually training your brain to get used to the discomfort and reduce anxiety over time. This process is called exposure and response prevention (ERP), which is a cornerstone of effective OCD treatment. It might feel difficult at times, but each moment you practice these skills is a victory worth celebrating. Keep practicing these skills, and know that it's okay to feel unsure at times; it's part of the process. Each moment of clarity, no matter how small it may seem, is a victory worth celebrating. Remember, progress with OCD is not always linear, but every step you take, no matter how small, is a step towards greater resilience and control over your symptoms.

I had this happen to me a little over a week ago. I had to accept uncertainty, and I immediately moved on to an activity that was mentally challenging. I’m not saying this as a way to distract yourself, but accept uncertainty and then go do something that is challenging! This process really helped me!