Back after 2 years

Hello fellow ocd sufferers, years later i'm here to once again tell you that i'm ocd free and that you will eventually be too. I haven't suffered due to this disorder for around 3 years to be exact. Erp saved my life. The moments of anguish during therapy were so worth it, that i've been completely stable. I have my moments of anxiety like every other person, however ocd is so weakened it is simply unable to take hold of me. It no longer controls and shapes me in accordance to its needs. It's just backround noise with zero impact on my mental health. Your healing journey isn't going to be linear and yes, ocd may keep on appearing as you heal, but every time it does, it'll be getting weaker and weaker until it eventually turns into an impactless little nothing. It's like folding paper. The more you fold it, the smaller it'll get. And eventually all that folding will make youb throw it in the trash all together and be done with it. You will beat it. And i'm saying this as someone who can confidently say isfree from it. Even at my most anxious moments, it can no longer turn into anything worse than a momentary intrusive thought. It's uprooted, it's freaking over. You will get the stable life you deserve so never, ever give up.

Cierram20

Date posted: Yesterday

I am very encouraged by this, thank you for sharing. I am honestly afraid that this won’t end and my brain constantly tells me that I want to suffer yet I don’t anymore. What i have realized about OCD is that it goes against what you truly desire. I want to get better but at the same time I’m just so scared to and “don’t want to”. I’m so happy for you🤍.

LydiaK

Date posted: 21h

@Cierram20 Your brain is someone that works for you. You're the boss and it will eventually adhere to your needs. You won't be suffering forever no matter what it claims you need or how it tries to shape your future. Your suffering will eventually end because there's an exit available and you'll eventually find it.

Gigi07

Date posted: Yesterday

I love the folding paper analogy!! I’m happy ur better and thank you for the encouragement!

LydiaK

Date posted: 21h

@Gigi07 I'm glad i helped! I hope none of you wonderful people ever give up. You're just as capable as i am and you will eventually beat it!

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

Could you please share the nature of you ocd, how long you had it, what helped etc. I am helping my kid overcome his via reducing accomodations and encouraging erp.

LydiaK

Date posted: 21h

@Anonymous I've had ocd for around 9 years. Currently i'm 25(i guess i'll be in a month) and i was able to beat it at around 22. My theme was mainly pure ocd, however i've gone through somatic and even more themes. The only advice i can give you, is to encourage your kid to continue erp even if they feel discouraged due to small fails at the start. It takes time and patience and every time we hold back from doing compulsions (even if it's only for a few minutes and then we relapse) as we face our fears, it's a small win that significantly helps the process in the long run. Erp isn't supposed to make you respond to it perfectly from the very first week, it will be a tool that will help your child improve slowly. Trusting the process is the most important step. Ocd is unfortunately a personal fight, so the best you can do as a parent is to provide a calm, supportive environment. The less environmental stress, the easier you will make it for your kid to push through erp. Always remind them that failing a lot at erp is completely normal part of the process and that they're not truly failing. They in fact build their endurance and raise the effectiveness of the therapy steadily.

Anonymous

Date posted: 19h

@LydiaK - Thank you for the wise word!

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