If I were to also take medication for ocd along side erp and ACT therapy, what seems to be the best one? I'm pretty afraid of side effects. I heard alot of good things about Prozac for ocd. What do y'all think (keep in mind I'm a young adult male)

Thanks aaron. How are you doing these days?

Alll sorts of obsessions. Somatic ones like blinking and movement, how I sound when I talk and if what I'm saying is weird, obsessions about reality and how I feel zoned out, intrusive thoughts about my brain and being stuck in brain lock, intrusive thoughts about violent images. It's a big pinwheel of obsessions that seems to cycle whenever I seem to be coming at peace with one. I've had this all my life though, and have had good times and bad times. Sometimes I'm pretty on top of it and it doesn't bother me, other times I feel like I'm trapped in a cage. Sometimes I go through spells where I don't feel it at all. These past few months have been particularly bad and I get worried sometimes that I'll never feel better

@russelicott Ah sorry to hear that you're not doing well lately. From your first comment though it sounds like you're looking to get back on track and some help with it, which is positive.

@Aaron G Yeah I am. I know people that have gotten better from this sort of thing, and I'm pretty self aware. Doing what I can to have a better relationship with my mental flaws.

@russelicott Oh really, that's interesting to hear. I don't know anyone who has suffered from OCD which is part of the reason I'm on here. Sometimes hearing from others with the same thoughts makes you feel like crazy! Positive that you know people who have got back to normal though. It's been that long I've forgotten what normal feels like.

@Aaron G Remember that you're not looking for a way out, or a way to stop the thoughts. Youlle find a new normal when you realize that intrusive thoughts are just like regular ones, and if they come they can come, they have no true affect on you. It's hard but it takes practice

@Aaron G There are some great youtubers who have been through exactly what you and I are going through and have come out the other side and have great advice on how to overcome your fear of fear so to speak, let me know if you want their names. Reading testimonials of people's suffering while they are still suffering can be incredibly toxic, and can make you feel doomed

@russelicott Oh that would be really helpful if you could send over the names, thank you! You've said it pretty spot on in your last comment - the thoughts are harmless and normal, it's my reaction that is worrying and taking over! The only way around it is to get used to them but I'm finding that easier with some thoughts than others. I think the Youtubers you mentioned would be a real worthwhile watch though!

@Aaron G Sorry for the late response I was on a date, but what type of OCD do you have? Or do you have multiple

@russelicott Hey. No need to apologise. To be honest, we never even said where we live so could be on totally different times. I'm in Scotland. Many years ago when my OCD started it was panicking about taps and lights etc and what would happen if I left them on. Nowadays it's really only intrusive thoughts about saying or doing something wrong or inappropriate. Feels like I have something in my head saying what would be the worst thing to do just now and then mu brain kicks and constantly repeats "don't do it". I put so much focus into worrying about not doing it, I then convince myself I have as the imagine I can paint in my head seems so real and not just a thought.

@russelicott Oh and forgot to ask, how did the date go!?