If one more person tells me to go out for a walk to "help me feel better" I am going to poke out my eyes. I know it's not said out of malice but my goodness. How can't people understand that my intrusive thoughts, compulsions and ruminations FOLLOW ME. Instead of feeling shitty inside, now I'm feeling shitty outside where I'm not in a space where I'm comfortable. I'm sick of it. 😟
So perhaps the person or persons who suggested taking a walk or changing your environment may have missed the mark. It may have felt like they were minimizing what you are going through. They were likely well-intentioned? I like to err on that side. It is understandable that with OCD, the thoughts and distress don’t just disappear when you step outside. The pain follows you—and sometimes, being outside can actually feel worse, especially when you’re already feeling so much. That is likely overwhelming and frustrating! It’s true that things like walking can sometimes help regulate the nervous system—but it’s not a fix, and it’s certainly not a substitute for the hard work you're already doing. You are showing up and facing things most people can’t see—and I respect the hell out of that. It sounds like you are working hard to fight back!
Oh yes it def can feel like unhelpful advice when no context is provided and it sucks when we feel like our problems are invalidated. I experience that too. I think a key missing piece in their advice is the emphasis on mindfulness. They should mention that because it’s way more important than simply saying to "go on a walk." Because you're 100% right that when we go on a walk while thinking about our intrusive thoughts, we probably will feel just as shitty as we would inside anyways! So it can feel very unhelpful to us. But when we actually use our 5 senses and focus on the world around us- the trees rustling, the wind blowing, the people walking, etc. we will be distracted away from our intrusive thoughts, which can then decrease our need to do compulsions. Another important part people should mention is behavioral activation (also works for depression). When we push ourselves to go outside of our comfort zones and do things even when we don't feel like it- we will be more motivated over time.
I thought you liked going outside though lol
I do, when it's on my terms. People say this as a throw away answer and usually unprompted. Sometimes I just want to talk to someone and not "go on a walk you'll feel better." Plus I only like the countryside. I live in a cramped town and I can't drive. So it's not as if I'd be walking through nature if I did.
@Generiname Oh okay I understand well vent some more I’ll be here
@Generiname I understand the advice is nice but sometimes it can feel a little robotic
@Kei1 That's kinda my problem with it. It's the "get out of jail free" card that everyone uses when they can't think of any other way to help you. A walk would be nice. But it won't cure my intrusive thoughts. Does that make sense? I'm just so tired of hearing it used as advice 😅
@Generiname Yeah I understand it just sounds repetitive
the suggestion itself isn’t bad, the lack of understanding about OCD is hard. i tried to finally reveal how OCD drives my life to friends and literally none of them seems to remember what kind of obstacles i meet every day.
Aye, I made sure to put "without malice" cause I know people say it out of the goodness of their heart. But a walk simply isn't a correct suggestion for clearing my mind.
Been there! My dad always tells me that! I also went to visit him once and he told me to leave my OCD at home🧐
@Lucy Van Pelt 😟😮😐🙄
Thats so real
FELT
I struggle so bad with intrusive thoughts. They can be so bad that I'll cry because I KNOW that's not how I feel or want to do. (Too embarrassed to say what they're about) I'll constantly try to figure out why I have them, and constantly figure out what they mean, causing me to constantly circle around and around. I had to get on anxeity meds, which helped a little but the thoughts still happen. How do you help yourself with this? How do you know that you're just not some physcopath? 😅
harm ocd is the bane of my existence. people always tell me that if you have anxiety over a thought, that’s ocd. and these intrusive thoughts cause me IMMENSE anxiety. i’m constantly looking for reasons why i’m not what these thoughts tell me i am. but WHY DOES IT FEEL SO REAL?? it’s like i can’t reassure myself that this isn’t me and i don’t want to do it, but i also look for reasons why it’s not me. my brain is constantly telling me “if you don’t act on this, you’ll never feel free”. WHAT EVEN IS THAT?? and why does it feel real?? anytime i think about getting therapy, i constantly think that it’s not going to help me positively but help me realize i am this person. i just wish someone with harm ocd could get into my brain, understand me, and tell me everything will be okay. i wish someone in recovery could tell me that they’ve been where i am, felt the same feelings, thought the same thoughts, and got through it when they thought they wouldn’t. i feel like i’m drowning in it. another thing is i think about how my mom knows a surface level understanding to this form of my ocd, but if she knew it all, i’m scared she’d never look at me the same. i’m scared she’d be scared of me and think i need psychiatric help. IM TERRIFIED.
I am having horrible regression in my recovery. Tonight i'm feeling really alone and sick from anxiety, i'm feeling scared to be alone with my thoughts. I had a family dinner with my sister, brother and mom today and I couldn't help but feel super dissociated. They are all laughing and talking while i'm just existing. I have a loud voice telling me I messed up, i'm dirty, i'm causing them harm. Being around people brings out the worst in my mind because i really want to be normal. My sister and brother did karaoke and sang Disney songs together and they sounded so beautiful and it made me sad because i truly don't feel like i will be able to ever live up to them. They are truly so smart and have their lives laid out for them. My mom takes my disorder personally and often says things like "you're disgusted of me" "you can't even touch me". I know she views me as the weakest one out of us 3, she favors them it's so apparent. My mom has bpd and being around her sinks me so deep. I feel so freaking alone guys and my ocd is actually spiraling me into a bad depression and my thoughts are becoming more serious. I do not feel comfortable in my mind or my body, i rely on distraction constantly running from myself.
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