Its been a while

Its been a while. Anyone else just feel terrified of change even though you know you need to do it to feel better?? I have been avoiding doing things to help myself for myself for years. Im in therapy and ive come to realize that maybe joining support groups, surrounding myself with lgbt people (i have SO OCD), working on weight gaining (diagnosed w ARFID) is gonna help me. But im scared. I cant stop avoiding but idk what else to do. Im also scared that my inner world (ocd, anxiety, overthinking) and outer world (being open about it to others irl) intertwine and it freaks me out.

Taovryou

Date posted: Yesterday

Yes it has in some way become a shield of comfort for me. Sometimes I think I don’t even want to stop it. But one of the main things we need to do with treating OCD is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. It’s extremely hard but definitely possible (still working on it tho) But also majority of the times i understand that it’s very debilitating for me and I truly don’t want to live this way. but yes just letting you know you’re not alone in feeling that way.

JeffTheGiraffe

Date posted: Yesterday

It’s bittersweet seeing someone else with ARFID. I used to have a rough case of it. My greatest advice I can give is be proactive about eating and you will gradually build up confidence. It’s hard to eat under stress yk? Also, exposure therapy helps TREMENDOUSLY with ARFID (I assume your hangup is throwing up)

izzy_

Date posted: 15h

@JeffTheGiraffe Yes on the throwing up part!! Since ive stopped working on the arfid part, i have been doubting ive had arfid since it spikes along with ocd flares.

JeffTheGiraffe

Date posted: 14h

@izzy_ Yeah. Only arfidish stuff that pops up for me nowadays is worrying I’ll hurl at the movie theater because I’m like “oh there’s so much stakes. I don’t want to miss the movie” and like it’s always so sensory overload to me but I literally mellow out within the first 5 minutes since the movies and atmosphere tends to be so immersive

izzy_

Date posted: 9h

@JeffTheGiraffe Sounds like you’re far more off ahead then i am. I plan out what im gonna eat if im going out that way i dont get sick. Sometimes i do it unintentionally to the point i barely eat anything or really pick at my food. Its not like i get intrusive thoughts of getting sick or what if thoughts anymore, its just become like protocol, like its almost become a second nature thing and i dont realize it when im in it….have you felt like that??

izzy_

Date posted: 9h

@JeffTheGiraffe Sometimes like my body worries and i don’t even know why. Like my head has an inkling as to why i pick at my food, but like my body just knows what to do now and i can’t really stop cos i dont wanna risk anything

JeffTheGiraffe

Date posted: 9h

@izzy_ a bit! the only things that still pop up every now and then ARFID wise is 1. not overindulging at restaurants (i eat until i’m content but I know I’m capable of eating like 30% more but I don’t like to since it’s not as comfortable of an environment) 2. not eating much for breakfast during stressful mornings and packing (what i call) rations to eat until i get home 😭 It’s also easier for me to stay on top of things weight wise because 1. My ARFID recovery was beyond miserable 2. ever since i turned 20 (21 now) I’m fairly certain my metabolism slowed a little. I’m currently 185 and I don’t eat more than I did when I was 170

JeffTheGiraffe

Date posted: 9h

@izzy_ yeepp, keep on top of things. it’s easier to eat when you know you’re on top of things versus when your back is in a corner.

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