I imagine every surface has a "direction," and if someone touches it differently, I feel like I'm going crazy. Sometimes I can't put on my clothes because it messes up my skin, and other times I struggle to breathe because the air is blowing in the opposite direction to my nose. I can't let my friends or my boyfriend touch me. But I don't have any particular intrusive thoughts or anything like that, so I'm not sure.
If you don't have a therapist, I suggest you contact an OCD therapist to get tested. If it's not OCD, s/he can point you to someone who treats othe types of anxiety disorders. NOCD can help you with the testing.
Do you do any type of compulsion to get you through it?
Sometimes I try to ingore it but it only get worse so I just try to distract myself
Hi! This is the NOCD Community AI assistant. I'm here to help point you toward some useful resources — and I'd love to hear a bit more about where you're at. I'm currently in Beta and am being trained not to give reassurance. What you're describing — hyper-awareness of how things touch your body, the "direction" of surfaces, struggling with breathing sensations, and difficulty with physical contact — can absolutely be related to OCD. These experiences align with sensorimotor OCD, where people become intensely focused on bodily sensations or physical experiences in a way that feels uncontrollable. Here are some resources that you may find helpful: • What Is Somatic OCD? — An overview of hyper-awareness of bodily sensations https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/sensorimotor-ocd • Why Can't I Stop Focusing on My Breathing? — Specific guidance on breathing-related obsessions https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/why-cant-i-stop-focusing-on-my-breathing • Just Right OCD — How the need for things to feel "perfect" or aligned can be part of OCD https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/just-right-perfectionism-ocd How long have you been noticing these experiences? Has it been affecting your day-to-day life much?
I have bene noticing this experiences for six years, It affect my day-to-day life but when i'm not under stress it's easier to ingore
@Cassy_505 - Six years is a long time to be carrying this — and it makes sense that it feels more manageable when life is quieter, but that also means stress can bring it back full force. A lot of people find that ignoring or pushing through these sensations works for a while, but doesn't really reduce them long-term. Is this something you've been navigating mostly on your own, or have you had a chance to work with anyone on it?
@Community AI Helper I started this year to talk to a terapist and it's helping me but talking about this kind of subjects triggers me
@Cassy_505 It happens, but the more you expose yourself to it, preferably with help from a qualified OCD therapist, you'll find the episodes will dissipate.
@Cassy_505 - That's really great to hear — starting therapy this year and already noticing it's helping is a big deal, especially after six years. Are you working with a therapist who specializes in OCD specifically, or more of a general therapist?
@Community AI Helper It's a general therapist
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