Help please

im just so terrified. I'm terrified none of this is ocd despite having it severely throughout my life. im autistic and the fact I can't use logic is killing me.

@Anonymous Ok is there something in particular that’s bothering you or you’re just having general anxiety?

@Just trying to survive pocd

@Anonymous Yea so pocd is super hard and upsetting of course. For me it’s the worst theme. If ocd didn’t feel real and scary then it wouldn’t work. The ocd does everything it can to make you doubt yourself and make you feel like your worst fear is going to come true. But it’s not based in reality.

@Just trying to survive whenever i think a kid is cute i overthink it?? i feel so horrible and confused. i don't want it.

@Anonymous I totally get it but focusing on how bad you don’t want the thought actually makes the thoughts stronger. Could you try redirecting your attention to something else when the thoughts come up?

@Just trying to survive I'm tryna watch TV but it just feels like I'm not paying attention to anything. this fear is so overwhelming it makes me think its true and thats one of the reasons why I'm so worried

@Anonymous Tv is not a great activity for ocd because it’s super easy to ruminate and watch tv. Activities that involve more active participation work better. Fear can make things feel more real because the physical sensations from fear can reaffirm that the anxiety means something but I promise you it does not. Thoughts don’t mean anything, I have taboo thoughts all day everyday, they just exist because I have a brain.

@Just trying to survive This is really helpful. I really struggle identifying my emotions

@Anonymous Have you ever talked to a therapist about this?

@Just trying to survive i would never be able to say it aloud. it's so scary

@Anonymous I mean I’ve told like a bunch of therapists about my pocd and none of them have ever freaked out, in fact they’ve all been very nice to me. You’re able to talk to me here, I won’t tell you what to do but maybe just consider it.

@Just trying to survive thank you I really appreciate it. I just need to get over the 'it's not ocd' trap! you've really helped me calm down and i really appreciate it and apologise for venting, in a very dark place right now

@Anonymous It’s ok I really do understand like I said I struggle with pocd all the time it’s a hard, upsetting theme. I always tell people if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck it’s probably a duck, not a chicken! OCD works the same way if it looks like ocd and acts like ocd then you’ve got ocd, but ocd will always tell you it’s something else in disguise.

@Just trying to survive woah thats a whole new mindset for me, thank you?! it feels like there's just a storm around my head and i keep ripping open ideas that I don't need to. and despite knowing that's irrational I can't stop because im so scared?? I've started zoloft now and I'm hoping that will help a bit in a few weeks

@Anonymous Glad I could be of some assistance! Medication has been a help for me it just takes time, keep going, you’re going to be ok I promise!

@Just trying to survive Just wanna let you know you've given me the first feeling of peace I've had in weeks. While it's on and off, I'm starting to seperate myself from my thoughts. Thank you so much :)