Please help

I’m new to all of this, but can someone please tell me how you stay active in life with all these crazy thoughts and images in your mind. I can’t even function at this point.

Rocd-friend

Date posted: 9h

I might be a bit older (30s) but I was diagnosed with OCD a few years ago and before that I don’t think it’s usually stopped me from doing things, but the opposite, trying to do everything. For me it’s helped to focus on my wants, even journal about them if you want, get accountability partners and friends who can pick you up or meet you for things, and say I’m going to choose what I want and value in life, no matter what the voices say.

090909Kb#

Date posted: 8h

@Rocd-friend Thank you I’m 48 and was diagnosed last week. I’ve always had weird obsessions about things, but these intrusive thoughts and images only recently started about a month ago. So maybe it’s just gonna take some getting used to. I do need friends. I don’t have any where I live.

ERP is the w...

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 8h

Yes! what the person above me said is it important. If you can get friends to hangout with, that would be helpful . Also to tolerate the uncomfortable feelings and images on your own is also key to your success. Let’s say you are cooking ,an images of you stabbing yourself comes into your mind . Just continue cooking . Let the images be there , let voices be there . And continue doing exactly what you were doing anyway . Think about it! If you have a happy thought come in to Your mind you don’t stop what you are doing . So why stop when bad thoughts come in ?

090909Kb#

Date posted: 8h

@ERP is the way to be That makes since, I think my problem is i feel like I’m losing control. I have fear of psychosis that’s my ocd and . I think that is what’s making it harder for me to manage because I feel like my symptoms are different than most people with OCD and I feel like if I get out of public, I might do something weird or say something weird or go into psychosis in front of everybody. lol if that makes sense.

ERP is the w...

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 7h

@090909Kb# So we don’t have control over our thoughts but we do have control over our limbs . So we ca think whatever but action is what is the problem. You will probably read this and your OCD might say “hey what if you want to act ?!” You ca respond with an uncertain response. I’m curious what country are you in

Raven_

Date posted: 8h

That’s the question of a lifetime Peer support has been huge. Be around people who can truly empathize with you. If you’re in the US you can see if NAMI offers in person groups near you, they’re free As much as I hate it and everyone says it; go to the gym. I’m not a fitness person but being around people and getting the energy out is crucial to quiet your mind. Even if you just go to walk Get sunlight. Even if it’s just going in your yard to do something. I like audiobooks with headphones. Having someone talk in my ear is comforting and I’m less likely to zone out than I would just listening to music. Everyone says it, but practice good sleep hygiene, it’s probably the most important one. Med time and Bed time are the most important times of the day. Sometimes you have to force yourself to do things, but always have self-compassion when you can’t.

090909Kb#

Date posted: 8h

@Raven_ Thank you for your response, I do work out. That helps a lot. Not many groups around here. I haven’t started any meds yet. I start exposure therapy Wednesday so I’m hoping that goes well and I won’t need meds.

Raven_

Date posted: 8h

@090909Kb# There’s also online groups, NAMI is a great resource. If you can power through without meds that’s a win! Therapy is the big thing to focus on, that’s where the real changes can happen. There’s also free things like binaural beats, and if you can afford it, Neurofeedback has been awesome for me

090909Kb#

Date posted: 8h

@Raven_ Thank you I’ll look into it!

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