My OCD has really taken control of me this week.

It's been a bad week for me too, after a week of feeling ok which is very frustrating. It seems most of the things I'm doing in my day to day life this week, my OCD will always find a way of somehow making it turn into an intrusive thought, then the anxiety has been kicking in. I've been trying to keep busy which helps at times but it's not long before it creeps back in.Taking each day as it comes as always..Hope you all manage to have some rest and have a stress free weekend

I just started therapy for my OCD a couple of weeks ago and she adds homework every week and I just felt so overwhelmed and I had therapy again today and more homework was added. I know It’s what needed to be done but it’s so overwhelming and I feel all alone

Exposure therapy is so hard and it feels like a battle I can’t win but I am trying so hard to overcome it but it feels like as soon as I work on one a couple more pop up

Do either of u wanna talk about it?

I’ve been having a really hard / bad week too.

I’m not very good at advise but I’ll try my best :) it’s natural to avoid things that set off ur ocd. Exposure is really hard, believe me?. As for sleeping, the app ‘relax melodies’ is very good, u combine sounds to make a soothing melody that is right for u. OCD likes to exaggerate everything so don’t worry, it’s not ur fault. I hope this was helpful! Let me know if something else is up

Glad I could help!

Cher1 ocd likes to make u think think ur getting better and then bam ur back to square 1. I agree that keeping busy helps. I hope u feel better soon!

Thank you ?

What happened?

Me too :(

Yes- my exposure therapy triggers my anxiety like no other. I am the queen of avoidance- it’s how I got to the horrible place it is in. When anxiety spikes I do anything and everything to avoid it. So all this exposing, while helping, is also causing me so much distress. I didn’t sleep AT ALL last night due to so much panic. My therapist wants me to take an Ativan tonight to make sure I sleep. I hate that in order to get to the other side I literally have to do the things my body and mind have avoided and hated my entire life. When I look at it from a big picture it’s really not a big deal and I am making it so much worse than it needs to be. But the panic is SO intense. My fear is emetophobia so it’s like a revolving cycle of thought, panic, stomach upset- which my brain goes, well then see the thought must be true! I’m learning coping mechanisms but after my whole life doing things the wrong way it’s so hard to change my brain :( I can’t wait until I’m over this horrific hump. Most of all I just need some sleep and food :(

Thank you- I really appreciate it! Ya most of all I’m like, am I getting worse? But my therapist keeps telling me it’s just the anxiety that’s I’m actually facing. So of course it’s going to be tough. I guess it’s learning that it’s better to sit with it and endure it rather than run away. Hardest lesson. But it is true- the anxiety has to end sometime right? I think by me avoiding and not allowing it it’s actually prolonging it. Hopefully I can just get some rest and I’ll be better able to stay strong. I’ll try the app for sure!

Oh and so true on the exaggeration!! I feel like such a drama queen! When I look at the big picture I have to remind myself- I am getting the help I’ve always dreamed of in hopes to get over something that can potentially set me free for the rest of my life. I should be excited! And leaning into it! The more I do the quicker it’s going to be. And I’m still alive, breathing, have a roof over my head, and have loved ones. I really try to practice gratitude when I have moments like this.

Krandrews5 what do u mean by homework?

Sof there are certain ocd tendencies that my therapist wants me to not do this week(exposures)and I have to journal how it makes me feel and fill out a SUDS form

Oh ok