Don't suffer in silence

As much as I hate this new OCD subtype my brain is latching onto. It has taught me that it's okay to throw everything you got at your mental health and to put yourself first. Its okay to ask for help, vent, and cry. It's okay to focus on the outside in and just do what's right for your body (sleep, eat, shower, get dress, get outside, exercise, socialize, play games, write, draw). Its okay to take yourself out of your head for even a few seconds every hour. OCD will fight against you every step of the way because it would rather you spend your day googling and performing compulsions trying to problem solve a feeling or thought. I've been dealing with OCD pretty much my whole life but I didn't realize it until about 5 years ago when my brother revealed he too had OCD after I came to him during a mental breakdown. I've had several therapist on/off none of which are trained in OCD but all of which believed I had obsessions that I needed to let go. I was never 100% honest with them due to shame and guilt. It took pure fear and agony to bring me to NOCD and actually open up. Never block your care. You don't have to suffer. You can change the way you respond to OCD. Things can get better and you will learn to manage. I only believe this because I've battled ROCD, POCD, and HOCD as well as health anxiety and grief. I've come out on the other side but the big difference this time is that I'm not going to suffer through. I'm going to build community, get support, and be honest about this chronic mental illness. I know now I can't conquer OCD passively. I'm all in.

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

I'm suffering from pocd a lot lately and it's rough I'm in same boat of having it for a long. Time on different subjects now it's pocd because I have a 2 year old son and it's bothering me so much

RayMoe

Date posted: 16h

You will be able to work through it. I managed to over come POCD with support from my boyfriend (now husband) because I was too ashamed to express everything to my therapist. I read a few books on OCD and did exercises. Read forums and meditated and eventually was able to starve POCD thoughts from compulsions. I say all this to say you don't have to do it this way. I wish I got a OCD Therapist sooner. Could have develop some necessary tools to combat OCD in general not just it's subtype. If you have a therapist keep working with them. Keep reading. Keep trying. Don't let this illness rob you of connection from those around you. You got this!

Anonymous

Date posted: 16h

@RayMoe Thank you seriously. I love my son more than anything and this stuff has really been taking a toll on me and I don't have anyone. Not really besides my son so it makes hard to have someone else to talk to. I am In therapy just wish I had someone else to talk to In life in general. I've been isolating quite a bit from trust issues of past relationships and just makes this subtype seem to come out more somehow from the isolation I think

RayMoe

Date posted: 15h

@Anonymous Feel free to chat with me! I'm currently pregnant and dealing with a different OCD theme but I know how isolating POCD can be. If I didn't have my partner and brother to lean on during that spiral. Idk where I would be today. Glad to hear you're in therapy and I hope you're getting the best possible care!

Anonymous

Date posted: 15h

@RayMoe Is there a way to do each other so I can possibly get some tips from you idk how this app works really

RayMoe

Date posted: 15h

@Anonymous Hmm that's a good question. I know we can make post but I'm not sure if there's direct messaging on here. You can always comment on my post or tag me in yours. I'm still learning the app as well.

Anonymous

Date posted: 15h

I lean on my brother he understands but to an extent but he doesn't either ya know

RayMoe

Date posted: 15h

That's good, OCD wants everything to be 100% but that's not how life works. Some support is better than none and learning to sit in discomfort is exactly what we have to be able to do to overcome OCD. Right now, I'm about to force myself to get up and get moving. Start with a lil meditation then go out and grab some lunch. I'm certain right now I'll be triggered and feel awful but I trust what therapist and people before me have to say with conquering OCD so I will blindly take care of my body as I work through this process. If your OCD is contributing to your isolation. I say go out and take a walk in the community or go shopping or do anything but stay isolated. I'm at the point where I was depressed for going on 3 weeks. Distancing myself from everyone and everything I love because I didn't feel good doing those things. I actually felt worse but that's how OCD keeps you in the spiral that's how depression consumes. So now I'm deciding to just do the opposite regardless of how I feel and funny enough each time I do. I sleep better at night which is a win. You really do got this!

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond