MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

4 years of OCD recovery

Last month, I celebrated 4 years of ERP therapy/being in recovery for OCD. Who I was 4 years ago is wildly different than who I am now, in all the best ways. In the course of those 4 years, I: -got the courage to leave an abusive relationship -got the courage to make a career change, and leave a job I hated but was comfortable at because it was familiar -worked through emotional contamination around my grandma, before she passed away -got over my driving fears, I drive all over the place now, in rain or good weather -learned to accept the sexual intrusive thoughts around a family member And many other things. Things aren’t perfect, I have rough days and great days, I’ve backslid and worked my way forward again. But recovery got me my life back. I’m happy to answer any questions or hear your stories of recovery.

NoNetEnsnaresMe

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

I really love and appreciate that you actually got a candle and celebrated. I want to do this more! ❤️ And congrats.

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

@NoNetEnsnaresMe Thank you ❤️ I was bitter on my first year of recovery and didn’t celebrate, so I make a point to do so now. All the wins deserve celebration, big or small 😊

Davek 72

Date posted: 2d

Congratulations! How do you get to the point of not analyzing intrusive unpleasant thoughts ?

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

@Davek 72 For me, it took time and practice through ERP. It takes time to re-wire your brain and thought patterns. Same with learning that you don’t have to listen to the false alarms OCD rings, and learning to let your thoughts just ebb and flow.

BeachedMermaid

Date posted: 2d

This is so wonderful and congrats! I love that you celebrated this achievement because it really is huge! I am about the celebrate my 1 year anniversary of starting erp. What you said about your grandma reminded me that I was able to work through my psychical contamination ocd to be able to pet my dog before he passed away. Recovery really does give you your life back.

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@BeachedMermaid I’m so sorry to hear about your dog, but I’m so glad you were able to pet him before he passed ❤️ losing pets is so hard

BeachedMermaid

Date posted: Yesterday

@MichelleV - thank you <3 im sorry for your loss as well

j vv

Date posted: 2d

You’ve been through so much that I can relate to. The courage to change relationships while navigating grief, car-related OCD, and sexually intrusive thoughts. It is always nice to hear you are not alone 🫂 What helped you stay balanced through all of those changes? I’m sure OCD was very loud at any one of those junctions. This is really inspiring, thank you for sharing!

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@j vv Thank you ❤️ it took me a long time, but practicing self care helped a lot. I was resistant to it for a while, but once I got in the habit, it made working through ERP more manageable

lara⚘️🤍🕊

Date posted: Yesterday

I'm glad you overcame the obsessive thoughts. I'm trying my best, but I feel like a bird trapped in a fence, unable to fly. ⚘️🕊

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@lara⚘️🤍🕊 Doing your best is all you can do ❤️ it gets easier

lara⚘️🤍🕊

Date posted: Yesterday

@MichelleV "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this encouragement. Having people like you who have successfully gone through this makes the journey seem less daunting. I am grateful for your kindness."🤍🙂‍↕️

logan tapp

Date posted: 16h

how did you over come your driving OCD? that’s one of my biggest struggles i find it so difficult to even be near a car anymore

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 16h

@logan tapp I did exposures with my therapist. I started by watching videos of car accidents on YouTube, and telling myself that may or may not happen to me. I also wrote worry scripts over crashing my car, and driving on the freeway for a short period of time. This was all based on my personal fears/triggers. But it really helped! Taking it slow and keeping your goal in mind helped. I’ve heard a lot of people struggle with driving OCD, you aren’t alone

logan tapp

Date posted: 16h

and congratulations!!

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