Struggling Today

@OneDayAtATimee How do i work around this without falling into the trap

@GMAN Great question! It’s natural for us to want to stop this immediately. With OCD- we have to behave in the opposite way. We have to let the uncomfortable feelings happen so they’ll pass on their own. Wherever you’ve been doing (hopefully not compulsions haha) must’ve been working if your anxiety is better. I say keep doing that :) It’s actually a sign of progress that your anxiety is getting better and OCD is trying to reel you back into compulsing. OCD is worried about why you’re not giving in. It’s like a baby crying until it gets its candy (compulsions). Let the baby scream its head off as you practice mindfulness & healthy distractions. Try playing a fun video game or having a nice chat with a friend (about something non-OCD related)

@OneDayAtATimee Thanks for the booster shot! Funny thing is it’s all the same old thoughts, nothing new lol.

@OneDayAtATimee So how long can the anxiety last before you see any improvement?? I have pure o ocd and it’s kicking my butt !

@lhohertz I don’t think there is a good answer for that. Everyone’s situation is different and depends on what care you are receiving, your environment and so on. I can only speak for myself and say I have had this for many years with major flare ups after major life events. Mine last from 2 weeks to 7-8 months. But don’t make my situation yours, you could see improvement in 5 minutes.

@lhohertz I agree with GMAN that there’s no specific timeframe, although I wish there was because it would be more predictable 😅 Everyone is different and some thoughts are stickier than others. What I will say is that the longer you go with resisting compulsions and the more exposures you do- the less anxious you will feel gradually. I like to also keep in mind that even if some days I feel really anxious but I still managed to resist compulsions, that is still a great improvement :) That resistance will help me to feel better over time

@OneDayAtATimee Well I don’t think I’ve been doing it right today because I don’t understand all of it very good

@lhohertz Are you taking meds?

@lhohertz That’s okay no worries! These things take time to learn. You have any particular questions that I might be able to answer?

@OneDayAtATimee Is the back door spike handled in the same fashion as normal intrusive thoughts?

@GMAN Great question! You’re correct that it 100% is :) OCD likes to try to scare us with new tactics and themes but luckily for us, they are handled all the same! 👍 With ERP, mindfulness, healthy distractions, and healthy lifestyle habits

@Love1another<3 hi ive been experiencing less anxiety. mostly just rumination, i know about the backdoor spike since this is the reoccurrence of my SOOCD after 4 years. im worried that since my anxiety has lessened, i need to figure out my sexuality and it has been taking up my entire day. it doesn’t make sense im somehow convinced im bi when i wake up but lesbian before i sleep, but that doesn’t make sense at all since i still have attraction for men and none for women at all. i say for the most part i can just let the thoughts flow but just the urge to figure out i cant let go and im worried that i might be convinced one day. sorry i did reassurance seeking looking at posts on this app :(

@lhohertz See onedayatatime’s post at the top