- Date posted
- 7w ago
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 6w ago
Mk3, I wonder if you've noticed a pattern here... when we seek feedback from more than one source when we are in a place of doubt or uncertainty and feel better initially but temporarily because the thought spiral seems to grow, then perhaps OCD is at play. As you seek guidance or clarification from more than one person, sometimes the OCD might have taken control and used this well-intentioned behavior and turned it into a compulsion. By reaching out in this community, welcoming support and feedback, it might be a helpful practice to notice when OCD might be driving the urge to seek reassurance through posting (and posting again). Please know you are always welcome here. We are all doing our best to look out for one another in this community! And yes, of course utilize your good work of ERP therapy to keep building skills and awareness of the OCD cycle! Thanks for reaching out.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 7w ago
I definitely understand the confusion and frustration with this. At some point it's just a matter of trying different things and seeing what works for you first-hand. Try focusing on the advice of one individual (preferably a trained professional who knows you well) and see how it goes for a while. If you notice any improvement at all, then stick with it. If not, then try a different approach. As already mentioned, try not to seek complete certainty here, because you won't get it. You don't need the "perfect" approach, only an approach that helps you trend in the positive direction in the long run.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 7w ago
@Mk3 - Glad to hear it. Yeah I'd stick with what you're doing with that therapist, and take any advice you see in these community forums with a grain of salt, especially if it conflicts with what is currently working for you. Most people on here aren't professionals, and even the professionals don't know you or your specific situation.
- Date posted
- 7w ago
It’s hard to deal with differing opinions / consultations when you’re someone who suffers from ocd. Cuz OCD wants that 100% certainty and it wants to remove all semblance of doubt. What I would say is maybe try to journal and do a pros and cons list and try as hard as you can to find *your own internal voice* on this subject, as opposed to trying to find a consensus or unanimous opinion from the external world. Sure, you can definitely factor other peoples’ opinions into your own verdict, but the more we just allow other people to *fully* shape our own opinions, then the less credibility we will have internally with our own selves.
- Date posted
- 7w ago
@Mk3 Yes, as best you can. I can empathize with the fact that this process is probably going to feel really difficult. Cuz every time you hear a brand-new opinion that runs contrary to your own, it’s going to probably be easy for you to have less conviction about your own personal stance on the matter. But just try as best you can to sit with it and maintain your belief. It doesn’t mean ur belief can’t change over time, just make sure that it’s changing on your own terms.
- Date posted
- 6w ago
Staying off here is a good start
Related posts
- Date posted
- 20w ago
hi. so one big factor of my OCD is rumination. i met a guy who i have a crush on the idea of (idea bc there are red flags). my biggest fear is not finding true love, my ex told me no one else would deal with what i have (my ocd, specifically reassurance seeking and getting overstimulated after intimacy). a few weeks ago, my friends and family all gathered and tried to give me advice that sounded like “you’re shy and you’ll never find someone.” after that, i’ve felt off. i’ve been using an unhealthy coping skill, daydreaming, and i’ve just felt unbalanced. my ocd makes everything feel different sometimes, i can’t explain it. life, myself, almost like being in a dissociated state. has anyone else experienced that? i don’t know how to remain balanced during my off times and i know pms exasperates it all. i take ashwaghanda and omega 3s in a multi vitamin daily. i take them all together in the evening but i’ve missed three days recently and also messed with my rocky sleep schedule because of fun times with friends. i hope these supplements work, because i don’t know if i’d be brave enough for medication. i had a bad reaction on prozac and often am forgetful. i just have been battling my OCD consciously for almost ten years now and unconsciously for longer. i am so tired, as my mental health extends beyond my OCD. i’m in talk therapy with some cbt aspects but i only see her twice a month. i’ve broken down so many times and promised myself id get on track or that certain things would work, but it’s like i am stuck in a circle that gets smaller when i’m able to help myself. i just want to be normal. i want to be able to mess up my sleep schedule to enjoy good times and not suffer horrible consequences or fear that i will be entirely thrown off balance. i don’t want to worry or doubt or feel so dissociative that i squint my eyes for a moment and wonder why i feel so unreal. i will never understand why god has allowed me to go through this. i cannot let it be for nothing but i don’t know how much more to bend and contort my body and brain to get somewhere stable but how lovely it would be if i could. i don’t have much of a schedule right now, i get apathetic and give in with things from time to time. one thing can trigger me and i am back to square one wether in a week or month. any advice, any and all is so helpful. your stories, your thoughts. maybe feeling less alone and knowing what has helped you is exactly what i need right now. thank you 💗
- Date posted
- 18w ago
I went to a therapist, I told her about the doubts I was having related to my orientation and the continuous compulsion to check again and again and the thoughts. I told her about my resources -podcasts by Ali Greymond, Chrissie Hodges 's videos, and the books I read to overcome and control myself. She said a couple of things that confused me: 1> Her daughter once asked her "what if she liked girls?" As a mom my therapist said, "Start exploring", and the daughter said naahh. I wonder if the daughter had a thought or was it a chain of intrusive thoughts that plagued her day and night like in my case. 2> She said my sources are right, but I should forget that and not think that I have ocd. 3> She also said if there is any chance I am straight, I should walk on that path- because she has seen lesbians and gays have no feelings for the opposite sex. She said she could see that I was not gay or lesbian in any way. 4> She was interested in my education and masters degrees wasted a lot of time talking about that. 5> She said all these thoughts are causing me anxiety disorders (but I don't have ocd, doc?) 6> She pointed out that being happy and in the present removes these thoughts totally but I am causing myself unnecessary distress. I was doing well before this talk with the therapist now I am triggered a bit. Please share your thoughts.
- Date posted
- 16w ago
Is it just me or is reddit and quora the worst things to be on when you’re in a spiral or just in general when you have OCD? Why is it always mostly negative replies on there or just ‘move on, get over it’ ‘break up’, ‘what’s wrong with you?’ responses? I’ve accidentally made it a habit/compulsion to go on there when I’m freaking out about something and it always makes me worse - especially when it comes to ROCD! It always make me doubt my own thoughts and emotions :(
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