Anyone else hyper aware of ringing in their ears?

Same ?

I feel you, sometimes I get the urge to drink or smoke just because I know I’ll feel better in the moment but I have to constantly remind myself that it makes me worse in the long run, if I give in and drink with friends or smoke I, without fail, take 50 steps back. But it’s all about knowing yourself! What works for me isnt whats going to work for you necessarily. As for anxiety meds, I recently got off of them because of the side effects, so I’m trying out some holistic ways now.

@faith_v_e See drinking for me got ruined by the way alone of how impulsive and outta hand I can get when I drink. With all these thoughts setting on I've abstained completely from getting drunk or inebriated severely in any way. I dont get super stoned when I do smoke so I definitely have way more of a sense of Self control. I have another friend who has stopped drinking as well because he gets violent. Hes my neighbor and hes prolly the person I chill with the most and I've shared all my experiences w him and hes been decently helpful to vent and talk to me about it without judging me. He told me he used to experience instrusive thoughts as well but only for a short period of time and very early in his life. I just started taking anxiety meds about a week ago and sometimes I feel like they help but idk it could be a placebo. I kinda wanna see what other options are because idk if holistic like you're trying would nessesarily work for me.

@TwylerGuy12 I did a lot of research so I’m hoping it works, but I was on Zoloft for over a month and even though the physical symptoms of anxiety like appetite, sleep, etc. got better, I was mentally still the same as far as the thoughts, anxiety, and depression. And on top of that, I was gaining weight, the ringing in my ears started when I started the Zoloft, and I felt off. I looked into side effects and ultimately decided that I would rather try a holistic route and lots of hard work in therapy, over taking medication that I felt was compromising me in other ways. But again, this is different for everyone. I know people that swear by their meds which I fully support too, it just ultimately wasn’t for me. I tried about 4 other meds in the past too and always ended up coming to this same conclusion

Yeah I stay away from everything now. Even weed can really fuck with me now

@faith_v_e I still smoke weed, but I've been smoking since my sophomore year and I mean like almost everyday toking, and now it is everyday. I feel like the abuse has gotten worse with wjats going on, but I feel like if I give it up i might go crazy because I've been so reliant on it to numb myself. I just turned 20 on the 16th so tbh I feel like any damage I did to my brain has been done and cant be reversed. I respect your decision to give it up, I hope me bringing it up isnt triggering at all to you.

@TwylerGuy12 It’s not triggering! I know I’m not a professional but I definitely recommend cutting back if you can— weed DEFINITELY fuels instrsive thoughts.

I definitely feel you. Having OCD, along with the shock of going on meds, adjusting the doses, etc. is hard on the body and you definitely feel it, especially the beginning. The first few days I was on the Zoloft I felt super weird like I was in a dream, and I went through sooo many emotions through the day; I would feel so irritated, then happy, then depressed, then terrified, etc. Luckily, coming off of them didn’t really mess with me too much and, even though my thoughts still get to me and I still feel pretty blah, I feel more centered now that I’m off the meds. So I definitely know what you’re talking about as far as feeling all over the place!

As cheesy and crappy as it sounds, it really is helpful to add in little lifestyle changes. Like exercising, doing things you enjoy, etc. I recently started working out again and for the hour I’m at the gym I always feel really hopeful. And I started pursuing my passions like photography and writing more and they give me a reason to be excited and proud. I know this advice sounds REALLY lame and fruitless, but these little things are actually helping me a lot!

I definitely feel that. When I was at my lowest I couldn’t even watch South Park because stupid things would trigger me. You kinda have to let yourself have that time where you feel like shit and keep pushing yourself, as shitty as that is. But I know what you mean, at my lowest it was like pulling teeth to write, which is my main passion. I kinda just accepted it and didn’t do it for awhile, but I feel like it helped me to look back on some of my old stuff that I was proud of, it gave me a moment of “damn I need to keep doing this” maybe if you look back in your old music, without forcing yourself to create more, it’ll slowly spark that light in you again

I apologize for sound so Dr. Phil-ish??? but it’s true!

No I totally understand, sometimes you look back and it’s like shit I’ll never be able to do that again. But it’s all about baby steps

I feel that, just try to be patient with yourself and definitely don’t force yourself to do something that isn’t enjoyable. If all you can do for now is watch shows and play on your phone, then so be it! I went through weeks where all I could get myself to do was watch crappy shows that didn’t trigger me on TV. Slowly and surely you come out of those times by simply going through them

@faith_v_e That's me atm. Only watching animated kids movies for a few weeks now if I even watch TV. If not I try to play pokemon sword to help.

@TwylerGuy12 I was watching 90 Day Fiancé and Will & Grace for 2 weeks straight, and playing word search games on my phone ??‍♀️ so I know the feeling!! Just keep pushing forward. I’m definitely not 100% right now, but I can tell that I’m heading in the right direction

@faith_v_e It seems like I'm just getting worse but hopefully I'll be able to say the same here soon. I really wanna feel happy again.

@TwylerGuy12 I know that feeling believe me, the bad times always feel like they’ll last forever. I still have moments, hours, and days like that. But overall, I feel more hopeful, especially as I learn more. I recommend reading about OCD and looking at instagram accounts about OCD. Gaining information and knowledge is probably what has helped me most

Do you think it’s an OCD hyperawareness thing?