Pure O

I'm a teacher and off for summer which is a trigger too much time to ruminate. Yesterday I thought I was managing and in control because I wrote down themes to discuss with therapist and tossed themes I wasn't thinking about. I wasted 2 hours doing this making me late for an appointment. I was so mentally exhausted I took a 2 hrs nap in afternoon and missed spending time with my sister. When I woke up spent an hour or more thinking about how I wasted time ruminating that morning and napping. Couldn't sleep last night and woke up this morning ruminating that I will ruminate. OMG OCD is ruining my life. What's the ERP response to this? New to ERP and therapist was sick this past week. No support groups today. Do I just say I don't know and go for a walk or do dishes and be mindful by feeling soap on hands or payment on feet

moontana

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Exactly. Try your best to catch yourself ruminating and stop it in its tracks. It’s difficult but it’s doable! Doing something else is a great way to move on. I like to do things that require brainpower like reading or drawing. And you get better at it with practice!

Kim27

Date posted: Yesterday

Thank you

Mrrockman

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

This is was part of my ERP. I know this is tough to hear, but I was told going for a walk in that situation is only feeding into the compulsion. You want to feel uncomfortable with the thought long enough where it doesn’t bother you anymore. when you repeat the thought over and over and over again it becomes less stressful because you are becoming desensitized to that thought.

Kim27

Date posted: Yesterday

OK often when I go for a walk I can get into ruminating while I walk. I think this is why I don't like to do things by myself

Mrrockman

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

You sound like me. I used to be anxious about being alone and ruminating

Kim27

Date posted: Yesterday

How did you overcome it? How long have you been in ERP? I've had anxiety for a long time but was recently diagnosed with OCD. I haven't done therapy in years because it wasn't helping it was just talk therapy. I've mostly just relied on medication but this past year I've had to try lot's of different medicines and it's not working. Some things are better but I don't remember it being this bad. I was able to manage. I might get stuck on something for a few days but not like this. Maybe I just recognize it more and it's always been this bad. How do you get title OCD Conqueror?

Mrrockman

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 17h

@Anonymous ERP really helped and makes sense. I did ERP for about six weeks. I was just deemed a conquer last week. Just keep practicing your ERP “exposures” I was able to lower my distress level when thinking about death or any triggers. That is how I became a conquerer.

Kim27

Date posted: 16h

@Mrrockman Ok I have thinking about death for past year but that has gone away. That's encouraging. Congratulations on becoming a conqueror

Mrrockman

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11h

@Anonymous I have Chuck Norris to thank

Mrrockman

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11h

@Mrrockman I had to read his obit as part of my ERP

Kim27

Date posted: 11h

@Mrrockman Oh wow whenever I hear about someone famous that has died it can really trigger me. Hulk Hogan and 2 other people died the same week. That really bothered me. I don't remember who they were now. I really thought that I was crazy always thinking about death. I'm finding out that it can be a common OCD theme. It's nice to know I'm not alone with these fears. I'm so glad I found this NOCD community

Mrrockman

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11h

I hear ya. People dying never bothered me before Now that I am retired I have tooo much time to think about it. As a Christian I have read a lot of scripture about the kingdom of heaven. Which has helped me.

Kim27

Date posted: 8h

I'm a Christian too. I've been a Christian since I was 5. Last June I went to 2 memorial services in the summer when I was off that triggered me. I felt like it was a lack of faith. Kept praying for peace and researching history of Jewish people and prophecies that came true. Also trying to reassure myself Jesus was really the Son of God and He really did raise from the dead The disciples wouldn't die horrible deaths for a lie. Several years ago I had this fear but God took it away from me. I was in the hospital after having a stroke. I saw a bird fly by my windows. In my mind I heard God say He will take me to heaven just like that bird. I've been looking forward to retiring in a few years but wonder what I'll do with myself and concerned I will have too much time to ruminate

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