Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

Proud of the Journey

For several years of my life, OCD made some days, months even, incredibly difficult. I wasn’t sure I would get through that time, but somehow I prevailed. Through therapy, I’m starting to learn how to handle my symptoms and move away from compulsions. That doesn’t mean every day is easy, but that I’m starting to stop avoiding the things that trigger me. I feel like I’m building more trust with myself and moving towards a brighter future that OCD doesn’t dictate. I am so grateful towards myself, my therapist, and my other supports that I have reached this point, and really proud of how much I am growing.

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

Congrats on making it two months into NOCD therapy! I can definitely relate to the feeling of needing to do something about your compulsion to solve it because the obsessions are so scary. It does feel incredibly freeing when you’re able to get present and out of the OCD wormhole. I would say that a big thing that helped me was continuing to live my life despite of OCD, and try new experiences and things I have been looking forward to once I’d gotten through one of my many flareups. Also, when it comes to exposures, try to practice as often as you can, even though it’s really hard. I started to see a positive shift when I practiced my exposures almost daily. They really do help, even though they can feel so scary. The most helpful thing for me when practicing an exposure was to focus on the physical sensations in your body as a way to get back to what’s happening in the present moment versus what OCD tells you will happen. Thanks for your response, I hope that helps some.

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

Good Job!!! Yay! I am 2 months into my nocd journey & I find it amazing how something (an obsession) can feel insurmountable & terrifying & like you MUST do something about or solve or do some type of compulsion to overcome can shrink when you do the courageous work of accepting uncertainty, sitting with it, facing it, surrendering it. It is such a freeing feeling when I am able to switch from being "in my head" to " back to my present life".

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

I would love for you to share anything that has really helped you on your journey back to present living in reality...vs the OCD wormhole

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

I know OCD can sometimes feel really hopeless and impossible to work through, I don’t know if you relate to that feeling. Sending you the best of luck on your journey!

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

I hate how REAL it can feel and how much time, joy, and mind space it can take!

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

@Kalidescope So true!

jecs

Date posted: 25d

@Kalidescope I agree

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

Thank so much for your response....So question. I often feel like I need to first "get out of my head" before I can truly get back to living. I find that I dissociate a bit when I am still doing mental compulsions/giving it engaged mind space...How do you go on living without dissociating in the midst of a flare?

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

@Kalidescope Yeah, that can be really tricky. Getting present is definitely important, sometimes things like putting your hands under hot or cold water, taking a run, or even just trying to really get grounded. When you get disassociated, it can be kind of scary and overwhelming, so try to pay attention to what’s going on in the present moment, even doing a body scan or really feeling your feet on the floor. Stuff like that can definitely be helpful, but I can find myself trying too hard to get grounded sometimes during a flareup, so everything in moderation.

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

@Ripple Its definitely a journey!

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

It seems like a big part of the work is getting really good at being present in the actual moment...

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

@Kalidescope This has definitely been the most impactful skill for me personally in getting through OCD flareups. It helps take you out of your brain.

Kalidescope

Date posted: 26d

@Ripple Thank you so much for sharing that! It seems so important & so challenging

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

@Kalidescope Of course, good luck, you got this!💕

jecs

Date posted: 26d

Yay I'm so happy for you!

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

Thanks 🫶

Big bucket o...

Date posted: 26d

Congratulations!!!

Ripple

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 26d

@Big bucket of crazy Thank you :)

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