I am spiralling into a really bad depression and I have no idea how to get out of it, what are some tips and self care tips for those of you that have depression with your OCD use to help shift your perspective or got you out of that dark place? It's starting to get really dark in my mind like someone is slowly turning the lights off and I don't know what to do. I'm in tears as I write this so please be kind.
First of all, I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but you are not alone. Do you have easy activities that are enjoyable for you that you could try? (Like taking a pet for a walk or doing a craft). If not, I find when I’m feeling down completing/accomplishing something and writing it down helps me. It makes me feel productive even when my OCD doesn’t want me to be. Please be gentle on yourself. It’s not easy but you’ve got this!
Reaching out to talk to other people is the right instinct, so making this post was a really good step towards not feeling so horrible. 💜 For me sometimes listening to music and lighting scented candles, watching videos of animals or babies, using my weighted blanket and other sensory skills can sometimes help.
I have to be very kind to myself when depression shows up. And allow myself to grief what OCD has stolen from my life. Then I write down plans for my days so that I do things I use to enjoy even if it feels like it makes no sense. Exercise, meeting friends, going for walks. If it's really dark speak to a doctor about medication. Also: try to break rumination, it feels like automatic but it isn't. I remind myself of the things I am greatful for, I write them down and it helps a bit to stay out of the negative thoughts. Take care! Better days will come your way.
I’m really sorry you’re going through this — what you described sounds incredibly painful, and I can tell how much strength it takes to even put it into words. You’re not alone in feeling this way. A few small things that sometimes help when depression and OCD hit together: Grounding yourself in the present — focusing on your breath, touching something textured, or naming five things you see around you can interrupt the spiral. Breaking tasks into tiny steps — even brushing your teeth or opening a window counts as a win when you feel this low. Gentle self-soothing — calming music, wrapping yourself in a blanket, or doing something repetitive (like doodling ) can quiet the noise in your mind. Shifting perspective — writing down one kind thought you’d say to a friend (then turning it back to yourself) can soften the harsh inner voice. And please remember: every storm eventually ends. Be strong and believe that these dark days will pass.Sending you compassion — you deserve kindness, especially from yourself.
Thank you all for your kind and compassionate responses I am very hard on myself so hearing strangers be kind is very refreshing thank you all so much 💖😊
You're welcome.🙂 Just remember, you're stronger than you think — you’ve got this. Keep holding on, brighter days are ahead 🌟.
Hello @Rosesrred, sorry you are experiencing this. Try to refocus, I'm not usually a depressed person, but I have another condition outside OCD that can mimic depression. Think about what makes you happy or what makes you smile. But don't stay in you head long this is to just to shift your thoughts and your energy. Move. Watch some funny on TV, listen to a funny podcast, or upbeat music. Maybe even some religious uptempo. Write, journal, what you are feeling. Counteract those thoughts be focusing in what good or positive TODAY. What makes you smile about TODAY. Stay present. Bring a candle scent that comfort you, I rub scented hand creams and lotions on my arms and kiss my shoulders. Be kind to yourself. I believe in crying. Why? Because society today wants you to be so focused and so strong everyone see is a weakness or a negative marked sign of MH unstability. It is not. Just like Journaling, it is a release of negativity... and permission to "let is go." ...physically let it go, the negativities, the pressures, the sadness and RESET.
I teach this with my items that I create with my business. And it works, just like ERP. Just EXERCISE. Going for WALKS, DEEP BREATHING. You just have to incorporate the practices in your lifestyle. Just like all things in like. What make us stronger is the work we put into the process. Everything and all things in life has to meantenanced and maintained to function well and properly. That included yourself. Love ❤️ on yoyrself from time to time. You deserve it, we all do. Utilize you own words "be kind," use them in a physical sense for you. Refocus
So this past week I’ve had a really bad ocd spiral. I can’t stop thinking about death and what happens after. Because of this, I’ve felt no motivation to get out of bed. I don’t know if it’s burnout from school, depression, or just existential ocd. I can’t focus on the present,and I feel like I’m in a dream like state. I went through a similar time a few years ago, and was able to get out of it. Even if I do accept that death is inevitable, how do I get motivation to do anything when I know it won’t matter in the end? Any tips?
I’ve recently been struggling a lot with OCD. I have had OCD for a long time I just didn’t realize it until more recently. About seven months ago I developed panic attacks one day randomly at work. I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the hospital where they told me it was just a panic attack and I assumed I would snap out and be better within a few days. However it didn’t. Here’s where it gets scary, I was staying at my then boyfriends house while dealing with blurry vision, anxiety attacks everyday, and more (unsure of what was going on). But at some point I saw my bfs (pew pew 🔫) on his table and it sent me into an anxiety attack after sudden thoughts that I was going to hurt myself with it. I begged him to put it away when I’m not looking so I didn’t know where he put it. He did. These thoughts lasted for about four days but began to go away. (I thought that was it and I would be back to normal). Unfortunately though I ended up moving back in with my family when we couldn’t get my panic attacks under control in time for me to get back to work and pay bills. However, coming home brought up a lot of trauma from when I was kid. My anxiety got worse but I didn’t have those thoughts again. About two and half months ago though, I got sick and went to the hospital where they gave me steroid pills and a steroid shot but sent me into some kind of psychiatric event. Ever since then though, I have been suffering from harm OCD, I have had moments of intense anger that I usually have to completely walk away and go on my own because of how intense they are, and it feels like it’s getting worse. Today I felt fine until about and hour and half ago where I started to dwell on the fact that my suicidal thought was influenced by my OCD and at the moment my OCD is at the worst it’s been. This caused me to get suddenly really depressed and I started crying thinking about how I can’t handle this. I then saw a post talking about how suicide rates are high for people with this form of OCD and it made me question if I am mentally strong enough to pull through this. I fear that at times I’m getting worse. I have good days but I have a lot of bad days. Unfortunately this sent me into such a bad panic attack I went over to my nanas crying about how I can’t deal with this. I took a 0.25 mg Xanax which helped calm down the panic attack portion of it but my brain is still uncomfortably active. I guess I just need hope. I’m so saddened by this. It’s like my life took a total 360 in 10 months and got even worse since the steroid shot. Idk what to do about it. I can’t stop the spiral. I talk to two different therapist weekly and start more next week, making it 5 times a week. I feel no improvements…
I am having a real hard time with meta-ocd and thoughts about feeling depressed and be like this forever. Or the thought I never feel normal again or never feel connected to normal life things and normal people. The intrusive thoughts are here like the whole day and they are all about my mental health. And I obsess about how I feel and what I feel with everything I do. It’s so hard to explain. If someone- a therapist or someone who dealt with this has tips or word of encouragement right now, that would me great. I feel like everything I want to learn myself about ocd and coming to this forum also is a bit compulsive. It is so confusing 🫤
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