Just looking for some reassurance

So a few months ago a suffered with a really bad panic attack (I didn’t know what it was at the time) and my anxiety has never been the same since. It’s almost like I had to relearn living life with this new anxiety. I have had to force myself into uncomfy situations to remind myself that this will not over come me. It seems that my anxiety stems from being in a place I’m not familiar with or have this feeling that I may be stuck and can’t get out back to a place where my body feels at ease. I wanted to expose myself to a very uncomfortable situation to prove that I will be ok. So I took myself and 15 year old brother on a 3 day long trip to 2 major cities NYC and Philly. I did have some small moments where I felt heart palpitations or that I couldn’t relax (mainly driving into these cities/ being stuck in traffic is what spiked it) But over all I’m feeling really happy with how I managed the trip. I think I’m just mourning the person I was before this anxiety. A few years ago I would’ve never felt that kind of anxiety on the trip. Maybe leading up to it. But I’m hoping the more I continue to force myself out of this bubble that anxiety wants to put me in, I will begin to regain the ability to be away from home and relax again.

99peaches99

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 15d

Hi love, Unfortunately, no one in this community will give you reassurance.. OCD feeds off of compulsions and reassurance is a type of compulsion. Here is a great article https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/steps-to-break-the-reassurance-seeking-pattern Have you started therapy yet?

OreoLuna1!

Date posted: 15d

@99peaches99 I tried therapy a few months ago and honestly it just didn’t work out, wasn’t the right therapist for me. I feel like I have gone to a few therapists throughout my life and it just seems like I can’t find someone who I click with. Typically I try to just ignore my compulsions and distract my mind. So it truly takes a lot for me to address these feelings as they can be very anxiety inducing. I’m looking into meeting with an OCD specialist, as I genuinely think someone who understands these patterns may help best for me

OreoLuna1!

Date posted: 15d

@99peaches99 I tried another therapist and she prescribed me medication. After I explained that I’m scared to take medication and actually refuse because I have been on anxiety meds before and actually regressed. I prefer I more hands on approach (exposure therapy, art therapy, concerts, walking, etc) but there are spikes at some points, I have done a good job at putting my mind at ease. I guess it would just be nice to be validated that I’m moving in the right direction that’s all

99peaches99

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 15d

@OreoLuna1! I have had some bad therapists myself. At nocd I have had worked with two different people who felt very different. NOCD therapists already have training but when they come to NOCD they get even more training. And continuous education. What has helped with the anxiety of meeting a new therapist is the member advocates here. They check in to make sure my therapist is a good fit and to offer any support. I think you will really like working with NOCD. The night I booked my first appointment I got so sick with anxiety and I had severe nausea most of the night. Getting help is very very hard. But I believe in you. And based off of our small conversation here, I think therapy would help your life so much. OCD is ranked one of the most debilitating mental illnesses so don’t forget that. As you learn more about OCD and work on exposures you’ll see a change. Hang in there friend

ddrew

Date posted: 15w

Some advice please

I’m experiencing anticipatory anxiety related to OCD. I have an important trip in 7 weeks and travel triggers my ocd. My feelings are just a dull ache in my belly constantly, and a jittery feeling. I’m confused about the actual obsessions. I used to have harm OCD that sprung from a travel incident years ago and ever since then, travel has been very fear inducing. I get the physical symptoms then my mind starts going hard. I ruminate about whether or not the stress will cause intrusive harm thoughts which in turn causes some intrusive harm thoughts. It’s very confusing and hard. I want to be someone who enjoys traveling and experiencing new things. I want so badly to enjoy this trip. Any advice helps. Thanks.

suzie90

Date posted: 12w

Panic attacks leaving home

Hey! Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with something similar. A bit of background: I have POTS and had a horrible flare up in March which led to us calling ambulances; I started on meds which didn’t agree with me; the POTS flare passed and left me with horrific anxiety on a level I’ve never experience before. I was still able to go out and do every day things like grocery shopping and see my nan but nothing more. Fast forward a few weeks my uncle dies and the grief and stress triggered a massive migraine, and bc I’ve never had a migraine before it scared me and I thought I was having a stroke or something. The migraine passed but my brain latched onto the fear of it and how it felt to have one. Long story short since the beginning of the year it’s been one thing after another. A few days ago I had the worst panic attack ever downstairs in my house (felt like I couldn’t feel my arm or face) and it sent me into a spiral. I am now terrified to leave the house in case I have a panic attack outdoors, it just feels so unsafe. I went to the shop with my dad yesterday and felt so bad, but i managed to do it and I was proud. Tried again to go to a different shop closer to home because I was already feeling bad, and it was horrific. I started having a panic attack, felt faint, my arm and face went tingly, so we went back home. I’m trying to challenge myself every day but I am really really struggling and not sure what to do at this point. I tried fluoxetine but had horrible side effects (which included a horrific dip in my mood) so I had to stop them. I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow to tell her everything and explain how difficult it is, but I’m just SO scared all the time. It’s like my body is constantly scanning for danger. It’s got to a point where it’s been going on for so long I’m just desperate to try anything to help me feel just a little bit better. I’m not asking for much, I just want to be able to go to the shop without feeling like I’m going to die. My question is has anyone else dealt with anything like this? The panic attacks are terrifying, and even though I know they’re “not dangerous” it does not help because they’re still so so scary and even worse when I’m out of my bedroom because if I’m by myself I can kinda lie down, do some breathing and talk myself round. I just don’t know how to get over this and I’m so so sad because I’m 31 and scared of being stuck like this forever 😭

Dreamydream

Date posted: 7w

Flying

Any advice for flying longer flights after actively coming out of a ocd episode and now is scared of being anxious on the plane and anxious being somewhere new and how I’ll feel when I’m there and just scared of freaking out and being anxious the whole time and not enjoying myself etc.

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Just looking for some reassurance

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