Can anyone see my posts:(

@NickCB Can you see the last one about the pet ocd?? That’s the one I’m struggling. With but it seems that none of the posts are going through

@dee012 I can’t find that post. Perhaps you could post it again? I’m interested to hear what you shared about your “pet OCD”.

@NickCB Everytime I post it, even if I change up the words. It won’t post :(

@dee012 Comment it here!

@NickCB I had a really distressing OCD episode last night. My cat was laying on my chest, and something about the situation triggered a strong physical response that really scared me. I was half asleep and couldn’t fully control my focus, so it felt even worse. I adjusted myself and grabbed a blanket to calm down, and eventually, my cat left and the feeling went away. But later, I started mentally testing myself again, and that brought everything back. I ended up slipping into an old compulsion twice — once last night and once this morning. I feel horrible about it and like I lost all my progress, especially because it involved my cat as the trigger.

@dee012 Cats will sit on your chest for two primary reasons. You’re warm, which cats find therapeutic and it’s an indication of trust. I would dig deeper into what specifically triggered you. OCD “pokes” can be very confusing if you don’t know what it’s attempting to address. Please don’t be scared. OCD is rather clumsily trying to protect you. It’s not and never will be your enemy. Celebrate your heightened level of self awareness. You’re driving this train. You may have to miss a few stops, the destination may sometimes feel out of reach and there will be hills, bends and curves, but you will navigate your way through it and ultimately reach your destination. While there is no scientific evidence that a purring cat on a person chest is in any way therapeutic, I dispute this. I personally find it very relaxing.

@NickCB It triggered the groinal response. Which then lend to the spiral and compulsions once my cat left. They are my babies and I feel as though I’ve failed them.

@dee012 Hey friend. I’m so sorry you are dealing with this. I go through the same things but with my own child. Just know you are a wonderful cat mom and they love you and that’s why they like to rest on you. You’ve got this!

@Anony1314 Thank you :(

@dee012 A groinal response is always challenging because it tends to carry a level of shame. You clearly have nothing to be ashamed of. These are just misinterpreted responses to triggers. Your empathy and compassion for your babies is admirable and should be celebrated. You have in no way “failed” them.

@NickCB Thank you. I did struggle with compulsive behaviors due to the groinal response in the past. I would react to see if it was real and test myself in ways that were outside of my values. I did do compulsions after my cat left the room to relieve myself of them but it feels so gross and shameful and I haven’t done it in a while because I have been improving my life but this feels like a major setback. I’m sorry if this is TMI. Hopefully u understand. I’m sorry again.

@dee012 We’re all here for the same reason. You do not have to apologize to me. I have experienced the same feelings myself and it can be an emotional roller coaster ride. Take a step back. Try to see your situation with some degree of objectivity, and give yourself the opportunity to see your impulses as not representative of the person you are, but as a person that is being subject to widely misinterpreted responses, through no fault of your own.

@NickCB Yes. Thank you. I appreciate your heartfelt responses. It helps me see this ocd as something not as a moral Failing but sometimes I am just going through at the moment. I think attaching meaning to these things makes it worse. Especially when the triggers happen, when I attach meaning to them then the spiral starts.

@dee012 You’re attaching yourself to misinterpreted responses. You won’t eradicate those feeling entirely, but you can adjust the way you respond to them. Don’t allow this to defeat you. You are more powerful than you give yourself credit for. OCD will never tell you that, but your therapist will. You can do this. Think of it as an adventure. Take it on. I suspect you might surprise yourself! I wish you all the very best.

@NickCB I think my brain makes me feel like I need to respond to those things whether they are good or bad. The shame and the guilt is the hardest part to go through. It’s hard for me to be around my cat right now because i feel like I’ve harmed her, but i have just been sittting with the thoughts. Thank you so much. I have healed a lot with this OCD thing, so I know I can do it again

@dee012 You can and you will.