Ocd fears are like a cross

Thank you. I’ve kept it in my head for like 5 years and I thought it may be useful to know and relate to. So I finally posted it 😁

No I don’t but It won’t do you any harm taking supplements and vitamins. They all help boost your mood and well being. But understanding your brain and erp combined with mindfulness's ACT are the heavy lifters in your recovery. Oh and don’t forget SELF COMPASSION. Very important. Also I am a very big fan of stoic philosophy and thinking. Stoicism is where modern psychology came from. It has everything in it and more. I also love it because it gives you purpose, it is very big on pursuing virtue as well as become psychologically resilient.

Stoicism also teaches you to see things in a more helpful way. For example instead of seeing anxiety as Somthing bad and Somthing to avoid, you instead learn to see it as Somthing you can face and grow in strength and gain freedom. "Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live;

Don’t ever underestimate yourself. You may not believe in yourself but I believe in you. And everyone on this forum. You are more then ocd.

@danny02 What is so bad about medication? Why is real and full ERP only without

@Firefly girl - There is nothing bad about medication if you feel you need it to help you with recovery. From my personal experience I wanted to habituate to the real unmasked feeling. When I was on meds every time I tried to get off I would relapse because I couldn’t tolerate the feelings and thoughts. When I discovered erp and mindfulness that changed because now I knew how to respond and what was possible and I was able to recover off meds. And to me it was important to be recovered off medication. I hated the side effects and I new what the human brain is capable of. Will I need the meds in the future? Who knows maybe, nothing is certain, and then I will aim to get off again. I see medication as a tool not something I want to rely on. I always viewed it from the point of what would happen if the meds were no longer accessible. I know it would not matter because I know recovery and the brain is capable without it. Treatment works it’s just grasping it and understanding it that takes time. Becoming aware of sneaky compulsions ect. And resisting giving into doubt. But if you feel you need the meds at this point in time there is no shame in taking them. ❤️❤️

@danny02 I recently heard a good sermon at a church in NYC contrasting Stoicism (self-regulation, mental self-control, self-discipline, & detachment from intractable problems to minimize suffering) w/ Epicureanism (hedonism) and w/ the gospel of Jesus Christ (JC). Stoic ideals & practices are a subset of the gospel, but for some (specifically unbelievers of JC), Stoicism can err by teaching ppl too much self-reliance & diverting them from being as in touch w/ feelings. So, maybe Stoicism is the best alternative for ppl who refuse to trust/believe on JC, but the gospel is the whole picture---b/c it acknowledges that suffering is part of human experience & is essential for growth. I like Stoicism & most of the Greco-Roman philosophers, but only reliance on God renewing our hearts through faith in JC's sacrifice & shepherding ultimately can save us in body, soul, & spirit. (Danny, I realize you, as a believer, likely understand all this already, but I wanted to weigh-in for those who might not.) I'm speaking here more of Jesus as a teacher and friend more than as head of a religion. That's only a couple of reasons why he's as relevant as Marcus Aurelius or anyone else. ~C