Hello! I just needed some words of encouragement. I have a trip in a few weeks to Florida. I have severe airplane anxiety. I get unwanted thoughts and urges. I know Iāll never harm anyone but I always think āwhat ifā I do. What if I get the urge to open an emergency exit, or I get the urge to say ābombā out loud. I would never want to hurt anyone. Iām in serious distress and Iām thinking of cancelling my trip.
By Cancelling your trip,You are allowing the ocd to win. Dont fucking let it. Own that shit. Go on that trip. Live with the uncertanity that you may cause harm or open the emergency exit door. I have terrible airplane anxiety too. I dont let it stop me!!
Yes! Avoidance only fuels.
@Dbreezy95 Hii! This made me feel so much better š Thanks so much!!
@Angela05 Anytime!!! ā¤ļø
I usually keep my mind, busy or distracted on a video game or a movie
Airplanes are the safest form of travel, especially in the states. Make sure to bring a book, movie, music or game. The intrusive thoughts will happen, and it's okay. You got this. Take that trip and trust yourself to handle it.
I know how you feel I have had sunslsler experience
@bradylouison Hi! What did you do to overcome it?
You just have to sit with understand that it is impossible to open the door and sit with anxiety these are normal thoughts
Yes, the What-ifs are very common with OCD. If you get these intrusive thoughts, try to stay in uncertainty and stay in the present: "I accept the uncertainty that I may or may not do this, because I can't see the future, but I'm not doing it now, I'm not planning on doing it and I have a choice." Then, do something fun to distract yourself. Are you in therapy with a trained OCD therapist who uses ERP therapy?
@Steven55! Hi! No, I currently have Medicaid. A lot of therapists who specialize in ERP donāt accept my insurance.
Thank you all soo much! My doctor prescribed me medication for my ocd. Iāve always felt a little weird on anxiety medication. Iāve tried almost all of them and none worked for me. I want to start taking meds before my trip so I can have a good time š. But again, I hate the way they feel, it just feels unnatural, almost like Iām high? I donāt want to have a bad reaction before my trip and end up not going. What should I doooo?
@Angela05 Meds only help with anxiety, not thoughts. Change your reaction to the thoughts. Dont rely on medication to feel better
There are times my harm ocd has me convinced that my feelings of self harm or suicide and harm are real and that any moment I could commit the act on myself or my family. Is there anyone who can chime in on this. I feel like all the time I want to leave run away or avoid my family because of these thoughts. Like I shouldnāt be around my children and I donāt trust myself.
I am struggling right now with intrusive harm urges. They feel real and it feels like I am going to act any second. It feels like I have to hold myself back, which is a scary thoughts. I am trying so hard not to compulse, but does anyone have tips on what they do in these situations?
Currently having a mental breakdown as I have to get on a plane by myself for the first time. It just feels like since Iāll be alone everything will go wrong and I donāt want that. All of the flights Iāve been on have been mostly smooth. Itās a short flight but I just canāt get the imagine of me dying alone out of my head. Iāll go a couple hours being fine about it to freaking out. Also, a side from safety I just hate being up in the air with no where to go. I genuinely canāt comprehend it and now I have to do it by myself.
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