Hi guys! I’m new to this and trying to get some advice. My OCD has gotten out of control the past couple years and it’s becoming debilitating. It’s to the point where it takes me an hour at night to check and make sure my door is locked when i know it’s locked because I’ve checked it 50 times. I’ll even take pictures of the door, but when i get the urge to get back out of bed and check, looking at a picture doesn’t help. Different scenarios run through my head: “Well what if it unlocked itself? What if i accidentally touched the door after I took the picture and now it’s actually unlocked?” Same with making sure the faucet is off and other little things. It’s interfering with my life at this point. Can any of you share your stories with me on how you’ve taken control over your OCD? Or even if you haven’t and you’re still struggling...you’re not alone. Thanks in advance!!!

??

You are so strong and don’t ever forget it. I have struggled with OCD my whole life and I have the same problem but with blowing out my candles. I’m still learning myself how to not overthinking as much, but I just wanted to let you know you are never alone even if it feels like it!

Hi Stephanie , I’m at a similar point and honestly it’s hard right now, I’ve lost my job and other things because of this but I’ve noticed mediation has really been a tool for me as of recent I’m still recovering and definitely going thru it But not seeking reassurance and mediation are really getting me thru You got this your not alone !!

Hi! I have very different manifestations that yours in that mine are mostly mental, but I think hearing from people with other kinds of ocd helps sometimes when trying to navigate your own type. When I was little a lot of my fears were about contamination and germs, but as I got older I started becoming afraid of things other people couldn’t see. One of the biggest was whether or not I would go out of control and kill myself or hurt others. I would hide belts and coat hangers because I was afraid that I would get up in the middle of the night and hang myself. I would make sure I was tucked deep into my bed each time I went to sleep. I was also afraid of hell. I was afraid that god could see these horrible suicidal-like thoughts and banish me from heaven (my family was catholic growing up, so suicide is a big no no on the heaven requirements). I started praying every night. I started having a mental rubric for my prayers. I had to say what I was sorry for every night and I had to repent. Guilt began to center my obsessions. I was obsessed with being evil. I thought I was worthless. I was afraid that god would never accept me because of the things I thought about. So in my late teens, I began to punish myself. I would take my nails and scratch into my skin. Eventually this became me using the key to my dorm room as a weapon against myself every time I messed up. I had to be punished for everything. I’m still struggling with that one today, and I’m not perfect, but I have a wonderful boyfriend and family there behind me. What helped me most was accepting the things I was most afraid of. For example, I had bad ocd about being gay for a while. I told myself eventually, so what if I am? Why does it matter? I surrounded myself and exposed myself to people who actually had that identity and realized 1) I was VERY not gay and 2) being gay was, not bad at all. The biggest piece of advice I can give is try to allow those obsessions to exist and not respond to them. Think, so what if the door is unlocked? (Easier said than done I realize). My approach is usually apathetic humor, which sometimes can take the strength out of some of my terrors. I hope you are able to get better! I’m rooting for you.