Need some help

I am reaching out because I am in a debilitating mental health crisis and my current living environment is making recovery impossible. My OCD has deeply latched onto my dad’s presence. Due to a long history of him shouting over small things and his rigid need to 'scan' and control the environment, my nervous system is in a state of constant hypervigilance. Even though his behavior has improved slightly, the 'trigger stacking' is so severe that I am functionally paralyzed whenever he is in the house. I cannot follow through on plans to move out or improve my life because I am in a permanent 'freeze' response. Anybody has any advice?

Young adults with OCD

OCDsuxx

Date posted: Yesterday

I am so sorry to hear this. Sometimes our living situations/external pressures definitely make living with OCD much harder. A few things: 1. Have you tried talking to him about it and seeing if you can come to a resolution where both of you benefit? 2. Are you able to establish boundaries that allow you to sort of “relax” when you’re around him? Like asking him to communicate a different way around you? 3. In the worst case scenario, are you able to live elsewhere if needed? I find that a lot of times, especially with living around others, a simple heart to heart convo can drastically improve a situation. It can be hard to start, but it will be worth it. You are not alone in this.

lunae

Date posted: Yesterday

@OCDsuxx I had multiple times already conversations if he can change and it didn’t fix much in the beginning. Now I must say lately in these past months he is somehow getting angry less. However, I am 21 with no job or anything to do bc my anxiety is lowkey debilitating and so all I can think about is his presence, I could say this is my current ocd theme. Now everything he does somehow becomes a trigger. And about your last question, I dont have anywhere else to stay, Literally 😂 I dont really know what to do its why.

OCDsuxx

Date posted: Yesterday

@lunae I know what you’re going through - I am 25 and when I was 20-23 I was bouncing in and out of jobs. Couldn’t go anywhere really because of my anxiety too. I am starting to get out of that boat but I think what is helping me is trying to find other things to occupy my mind. Have you tried picking up a hobby or working from home? Working from home has saved me big time - has given me a daily purpose/task and allowed me to start working towards the future :) let me know if you need help with this, I’m always down to assist!

lunae

Date posted: 21h

@OCDsuxx It’s not any of it. I think I should first figure out what to do about this current theme bc as I mentioned my anxiety is getting debilitating if not treated. Should I try and let myself feel anxiety when he is around or look for ways to go away? This theme has been particularly heavy lately

OCDsuxx

Date posted: 21h

@lunae I know that OCD-based therapy would tell you to sit with it. To allow yourself to feel anxiety when he’s around. Eventually, and it’s going to take time and discomfort, you will become better equipped at handling it

lunae

Date posted: 19h

@OCDsuxx Got it. Only issue is triggers became so many now I am scared to start alone. I have been looking for therapy but I still haven’t got in for a reason or another. Now everyday is like something new, When one thing finishes another begin. I have been having this particularly with the fact he wants object the way he wants, which conflicts with the fact I need some objects to be a certain way. This results in him getting angry. Which makes me even more stressed and difficult to be around him. I hope I find a way somehow

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