I’ve been having a pretty bad flare up these last few weeks. any tips? How to do I stop the mental compulsions? I keep trying to make my thoughts true or inspect them and it’s been taking a toll on me. I’ve also been forcing myself to talk to people even when I don’t want to. Any tips would be helpful.
Same boat and I say just take it day by day. It will go away eventually but u don’t need to talk to anyone about these themes yk?
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When I am having intense obsessions and compulsions, I find it helpful to not engage the obsessive thoughts as much as possible. I will focus on mindfulness and breathing, and not give attention to the thought, while resisting mental and physical compulsions as best I can. For years, I would engage with and ruminate on the thoughts, and it is exhausting as you’ve pointed out. As I’ve learned more about the disease we have, I’ve also come to realize that engaging with the thought reinforces the cycle. Training yourself to release the thought without engaging it is challenging, but it is doable and gets easier with practice. It also helps me to remember that every time I successfully resist the urge to engage the obsessive thought through a mental or physical compulsion, I am reinforcing healthy neuroplasticity that will reduce the incidence of obsessive thoughts in the first place. Otherwise, during flares I focus on taking care of myself as best I can. I eat healthy foods, abstain from alcohol, get sleep, and exercise outside. I do 4-8-7 breathing, box breathing, and physiologic sighing to calm my nervous system. Hang in there, you can do it.
@Krnk I think lately it’s been one intrusive thought and I haven’t understood how to deal with it and it’s only spiraled me more into other intrusive thoughts I’ve already dealt with it’s so confusing. For me it’s been about work and letting myself get angry and what kind of person that makes me and I’ve been reacting to it. Getting irritated without actually being irritated but compulsively reacting to it. And it’s hard because it’s a new intrusive thought and I’m terrified I have to be like everyone else mean bitter and angry. And the spiral is so hard I’m afraid if I don’t do it compulsively then something is wrong with me. Like I have to be like them and ssy the things they say and be just like them or something is wrong with me but it only causes me more distress and discomfort. It’s strange I don’t like being rude or engaging with gossip or drama. But I’m convinced that’s how social interactions are supposed to be. And I’m supposed to like them and think they’re good people. I don’t think they’re bad I just know that lifestyle Isnt for me. It’s exhausting and ridiculous.
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