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- 5y
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- 5y
I’m new here, too, but it’s my teenage daughter who suffers from contamination OCD, and I’m looking for information and ways to help her. She’s suffered for the past five years (at least that’s when she was officially diagnosed), and has been in therapy since then. Trying medications for the past year, but haven’t landed on one that works for her. It kills me to see her so low and suffering every day. I’m so sorry you’re all going through this, and I hope you have some support at home.
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- 5y
Hi Cath. I was told ERP is the best solution for contamination ocd but I’ve been struggling. When I was in my younger teen years I struggled with it too but didn’t know to get help or even talk about it so it’s great you are helping her.
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- 5y
Washie. Great points. When I cut down on sugars and carbs I find my ocd decreasing but I don’t know if that is a coincidence. Sadly I’ve been consuming a lot of both lately b
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- 5y
Lark: I know, it's hard to keep strict diets going, even if it works. I've tried a few for a week or so (that's how long my diet motivation lasts?) If I find something that works 100%, I would stick to it. But if not, it's not easy to have ocd AND lots of diet restrictions. I need some comfort eating now and then :) But cutting down on sugar is always a good idea. I did some reading on a "Low glutamate" diet as well, but it's so restrictive and it just seems to be in "everything". Btw, I'm also going through a really bad ocd period right now, do you think wintertime could be worsening it? Days with less sunlight affect serotonin, and that's already a problem with ocd so.. ?♀️
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Same ocd and same goal here :)
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Same! This has been a rough week and I couldn’t leave the house this weekend. I’m so afraid to go back to school and my job and I’m breaking down in tears.
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- 5y
Cath: Hello & welcome to the app! :) Like Lark, I am struggling with ERP too, so at the moment I'm looking into supplements/diets to help. I've also seen some research pointing to elevated glutamate as a potential contributing factor in ocd. I am sorry you are going through this as well. I know ocd is hard to deal with, both for the person who has it and also for family. I hope your daughter finds the right therapy/medication and starts seeing some progress soon. Wish you the best of luck! :)
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- 5y
Yes! For sure wintertime doesn’t help but summer aggravates it for me lol. I heard exercise and gym helps a lot too but I work and go to school so time is an issue and also gym is my trigger so gyms add an hour to my contamination rituals. It’s so hard. I’m curious about glutamate and will read about that.
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- 5y
Oh my!! I eat a LOT of glutamate heavy foods. Oh my!!
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- 5y
Yeah, mine is pretty bad all year round too, so I dont know how much I can really blame on winter haha. If you Google ocd and glutamate, the connection is explained well. I try to focus on just cutting down on the high glutamate foods, I feel like that's restrictive already. So I'm counting on magnesium + b6 (to hopefully boost serotonin) and just eating healthy in general. Guided meditation is also great, but I always fall asleep lol
Related posts
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- 23w
I’m irrationally terrified of being found somehow by someone who knows me but I’m trying to post anyway. Not sure if I qualify as young adult or mid-life at this point because I’m about to be 30. Hi, I’m new here and I’m in the process of getting a diagnosis. I’m already diagnosed with autism, GAD, and probable ADHD, and I believe I’ve had varying subtypes of OCD since childhood. My worst OCD-related issue right now has been constant reassurance seeking. I’ve fallen into a trap of constantly doing it and without reassurance I’m terrified to make decisions in my new job. It’s causing me to ask too many questions I already know the answers to which makes me not look competent. Even though I’m somewhat experienced in my field of work, starting this new job has me feeling like I’m starting in the field all over again because I’m so bad these days with working independently since I can’t reassure myself that what I’m doing is correct. I’ve been stressed out of my mind and have come close to losing my job because the stress has exacerbated my autistic struggles such as meltdowns and social issues and I’m also battling the ADHD and GAD on top of it. I’ve also been pushing away people who are close to me with my reassurance seeking because I have problems with not being satisfied with any piece of advice or reassurance given to me by friends and family. They can say things will be okay a thousand times and even though I’m the one who asked I will fight them on it and I’m getting tired of my own difficult behavior and obsessive thoughts. I finally got into therapy again to try and save my job and my relationships from the clutches of my various mental illnesses and I’m just looking for community here.
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- 15w
I’m 19 and struggle with health anxiety, contamination, harm, and magical thinking OCD and would love to meet people with similar experiences and hardships because I have never had an opportunity for such a supportive community!
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- 10w
Im new here so im not exactly sure what im supposed to be doing but my therapist recommended that I start using this platform. I have had OCD my whole life as does my mom and her parents, but I never had a formal diagnosis until about 5 years ago. Recently my OCD has been absolutely taking over my life and it is just so mentally exhausting. I know there’s nothing “wrong” with me but I really wish that I just didn’t have OCD. I really just want to be able to exist without all of these obsessions. I’ve seen a few posts from people just talking about experiences so if anyone has any tips on how best to use the platform that would be great! On a funnier note - I’m pretty open about my OCD and I mention it to a coworker and there response was “Do you really have that or is that just something you say”. And my response was oh yeah no I really have it and it really impacts every minute of everyday in my life and they were just like 😶
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