In the last few days I have managed to drastically reduce compulsions. I have made good progress but the brain fog that I may be a bad person and that the world and my interactions aren’t real still persists. Any tips to address this? I’m not reacting to any of it which is uncomfortable.
Well done! Just hang in there. Ths is as it "should be" - with time it disappears. Focus on living your life, don't focus so much inwards. This is hard but you are stronger than you are aware of.
Hello friend! Healing takes time. Unfortunately, symptoms persist for a while even when you are doing the right thing. Think of it like going for a long run. After you stop, you're still going to be breathing hard and your heart rate will still be elevated for some time. Then, the next day or maybe week your muscles will be sore. Don't let that stress you. It doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong. Just continue to live according to your values and remember that it will get better with time.
According to NOCD therapists, people with harm OCD don't carry out their thoughts. In reality, we are so repulsed and upset over them, that we are the last folks to carry them out. As for the existential theme you're dealing with, I've been helped by saying to myself, "Maybe it's true, and maybe it isn't, I will never know for certain, but I can see and feel in three dimensions and I certainly can't walk through a wall on command. That's good enough for me." This has worked for me; perhaps it will help you, too.
Why do you think you may be a bad person, because of your thoughts?
@Steven55! Yes I have been dealing with harm ocd in addition to this for 2 months. I wake up and think about it but I don’t react and just try to move on with my day as I would do it before this whole cycle started. However, I still wonder if I would „snap“ and „not care“ as one might put it.
Im better able to engage with my fam about other topics (which I couldn’t previously) progress just doesn’t feel the way I expect it to
According to the NOCD therapists,
Hi! I've been on my OCD healing journey for about half a year and I have seen a lot of success. I'm reaching out for advice, I am very willing to do exposures because I know the more I do them, the more I get better, but I struggle with the response prevention part. I don't know how to control my brain when it comes to facing the fears especially since most of my compulsions are mental. I can tell myself the typical things "I am okay with the uncertainty of this happening", etc. but its like my brain doesn't believe them. I've been stuck in this disconnect for a while and would love advice you have heard from a therapist or learned that has really help you.
I have really started to take control of my compulsions and im starting to string together better days! Still not great days or even good, but they are better!!! I have controlled my outward compulsions (googling, research, reassurance, checking) the past couple of days and felt the positive impact of that. But unfortunately, I am realizing that the rumination is still constant. My sexuality and relationship are the only two things constantly on my brain, and if they aren’t I freak out and wonder why im not thinking about them! Anyone have any advice on how to deal with the rumination. Sometimes I don’t even notice im doing it, but it’s taking up 90% of my day. Once I start to tackle this I think I may make some real big progress! Hope everyone is fighting today! ❤️
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