NOCD

User type: Staff

Date posted: 17h

Reclaiming life from OCD: AMA with Mackenzie Nordone

Mackenzie Nordone used to have doubts about whether OCD treatment would really work for her. The idea of getting to a point where her life wasn’t completely controlled by intrusive thoughts and compulsions felt like some far-off, impossible dream—until she gave specialized therapy a chance, and all of her doubts were proven wrong. Now a Support Group Facilitator at NOCD, Mackenzie is hosting a live AMA (Ask Me Anything) to share openly and honestly with the NOCD Community, and answer questions about living with OCD and OCD treatment. You can ask her about anything—from fears and misconceptions she had before starting therapy, to what the treatment process was actually like, to how her life transformed as her symptoms became manageable. Drop your questions here in the comments, and Mackenzie will answer as many as she can on Tuesday, April 21 from 2-4 PM PT / 4-6 PM CT / 5-7 PM ET. 👇

afriedrick

Date posted: 16h

I am struggling the most with the panic urges that come on suddenly. It makes me feel like I want to do it or could do it against my will. Im trying to overcome this through the ERP. It feels harder because I'm also a Christian and normally I would just rebuke this stuff and it doesn't go away.

rivendell

Date posted: 15h

@afriedrick I am struggling with the same 🩷 I used to find peace in prayer, but my mind is struggling to believe in the power of prayer which is making me feel guilty

afriedrick

Date posted: 15h

@rivendell I feel you. But don't stop. What I've been trying to do is just pause wait till the sensations in my body can calm down first and then I'll pray from the heart because I remember what that's like before OCD flared up in my life and became a bigger issue. I don't like try to panic and pray at the same time I give myself to breathe for a minute and sometimes I'll just say the name of Jesus before I can actually talk.

rivendell

Date posted: 15h

@afriedrick My problem is I have religious psychosis OCD. Have you struggled with that at all?

Hello777

Date posted: 9h

@rivendell Hi! Can you explain what this is please? Thanks!

afriedrick

Date posted: 9h

@rivendell Like you're afraid to get psychosis?

BlueSparklessz

Date posted: 15h

How to handle the sudden sense of panic/anxiety when you find yourself relaxing or occupied with non-ocd things? Does this feeling ever stop?

Anonymous

Date posted: 15h

@BlueSparklessz Yes this!

afriedrick

Date posted: 15h

Yes this too!

Anonymous

Date posted: 15h

After going years without severe panic attacks, I recently had one that left me deeply shaken up. I can’t stop having dark thoughts and I can’t shake the feeling that I will never feel “safe” or be able to experience genuine calm/peace again. It feels like everything was fine, and overnight I somehow undid years of therapy and am back at square one. How can I redirect these thoughts to keep my mind from slipping into a state of constant panic?

Elliederek2$

Date posted: 15h

I have found myself in an avoidance pattern. I am exhausted all the time from fighting the intrusive thoughts and by the end of the work day I just need a nap to calm my brain down.

rivendell

Date posted: 15h

Have you ever experienced DPDR from the overwhelm of OCD panic and spiraling thoughts? What would be the best way to manage those thoughts without having to detach/dissociate in order to cope with the overwhelming fear of losing control?

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 15h

@rivendell Following so I can see answer

Scaredycat C...

Date posted: 13h

@rivendell Second this!

omarandre@2003

Date posted: 15h

Have you ever sometimes felt tired of practicing ERP consistently, and if so, how do you manage that?

Fellow OCD p...

Date posted: 15h

It feels like torture to do therapy. What motivated you to do it and what do you suggest to others who are struggling with the idea of starting? Is there a way to do therapy that doesn’t feel excruciating? Are there methods that one can apply to help it not be painful? What, if any, methods can you share that people can use during the process to help ease the anxiety? Thanks so much for doing this! You’re great!

msiwczak

Date posted: 15h

It can become very difficult to resist the urges and give in to the compulsions of hand washing and checking for germs. Like I know where they are or how to identify them. I try to weather the storm and tell myself this too shall pass. Sometimes it works , and other times OCD wins.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 15h

How do you deal with not trusting your senses? I can see soap on my hands but do not “believe” it’s really there. As soon as I wash my hands i question whether the soap was ever there and have to start all over again.

Help Seeker

Date posted: 15h

What do you do when you look back at a mistake that you made that you feel like you should’ve known better, but you somehow, in some shape or form, did not?

lisas5

Date posted: 15h

Do you ever fail at explaining OCD to outsiders, and what do you do when you are misunderstood? It is one of the hardest things for me to explain to loved ones. Thanks :)

afriedrick

Date posted: 15h

Yes I'm hesitant to tell people at church because they don't understand.

Anakin145

Date posted: 14h

Me and my wife just had a miscarriage and I was having some thoughts about my wife and I felt much shame. I could use some advice on handling difficult emotions

Mercury75

Date posted: 14h

Hi Mackenzie, my OCD used to be severe but is now considered mild and I find my symptoms manageable (hooray!). However, my family often becomes frustrated when they notice me excessively worrying/cleaning. I never want my OCD to affect those around me, but I also feel hurt by their comments. I've worked really hard to get where I am today, and the OCD is probably never going to completely disappear. I feel like nothing short of a cure will make them happy, but I also feel guilty for still having symptoms. Any advice?

Hello777

Date posted: 9h

@Mercury75 Maybe tell them that no one is perfect and that at least their house is clean when you are there hahaha. I mean seriously, maybe tell them that you have come a long way and that their support and affirmation of this would be really helpful to you. And tell them to remember that maybe they have some things they do too that another person could criticize and that no one is completely perfect except for God! 🙏💖💖

Why me?

Date posted: 14h

How do you overcome the fear that comes with trying to fight the obsessions and compulsions?

Anonymous

Date posted: 6h

What are some of the best ways and tips to avoid conplusions? How should one not isolate theirself from others because of their OCD and everything that comes with it? How do you combat your intrusive thoughts and feelings when you know better than to do so and know yourself to be the opposite of said thoughts and feelings?

abbyg@tor

Date posted: 5h

How do you overcome the thoughts that this will never get better? I’m struggling so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and that there will be a day where I’m not consumed by my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I want to feel like myself again :/

4ever4given

Date posted: 4h

What happens when you do ERP in a situation and it causes you to be misunderstood by others?

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