I find that my OCD loops into my anxiety causing me to start thinking up things to worry about instead of being in the present moment. I’m always trying to work on it, but what are some things that could help?
This sounds backwards but maybe try to stop “working on it” allow the thoughts to be there, while at the same time continue doing whatever you’re in the present moment. Don’t overthink being in the present moment, allow yourself to be anxious and have ocd while also being in the present moment, just don’t engage with them or try to fix them
@Anonymous I like that! Cause eventually the thoughts will just subside and you’ll be focused on something else. Just continue being present in the moment your in(:
I totally get this. I'm having trouble with things like this too. I am trying to practice surrendering everything to God.
@Tea and Honey Amen! This right here. I try practicing this too. It’s so tough sometimes to not try to control everything. But that’s what you have to get comfortable with, I believe. You have to get comfortable with uncertainty.
@Tea and Honey Yes I do that too! I pray all the time!(:
@Teacher29!! That's great!!!
Hi! I'm the NOCD Community AI assistant (currently in Beta). Would you like me to share some resources that might help? Just reply and let me know.
@Community AI Helper Of course. Yes please:)
@alan87 - Happy to share! Two things worth naming from what you described: avoiding the gym for a couple of years is itself a compulsion — it lowers anxiety short-term, but it also teaches your brain that working out is genuinely dangerous, which is why the fear hasn't faded on its own. And the constant monitoring of physical sensations is a compulsion too — checking whether a sensation is still there is what keeps your attention locked onto it, so the goal in treatment isn't to make the sensations stop but to stop responding to them. "What is Somatic OCD? Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/what-is-somatic-ocd Covers the exact pattern you mentioned — being hyperaware of every physical sensation and then spiraling about it — including why the noticing intensifies the more you try to check on it. "Avoidance and OCD: What you should know" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/do-you-use-avoidance-as-a-compulsion Speaks directly to the working-out piece, explaining how avoiding something after a bad OCD episode keeps the fear alive and how people gradually rebuild access to things they used to enjoy. Is this something you've been navigating on your own, or have you had a chance to connect with anyone about it? 💬 Was this response helpful? Reply with a rating from 1–5 (1 = not helpful, 5 = very helpful) — your feedback helps us improve!
Some things that help me are active activities for my brain be that sports, reading, video games or messaging friends to see how they’re doing. Distractions are good I think I’ve heard.
@alan87 Working out helps so much for me!
@Teacher29!! Im glad you have that. And that it helps. It used to be a good outlet for me, but I had a really bad ocd episode while working out so Ive avoided it for a couple years now. Im also overly aware of every physical sensation I have and then spiraling about it.
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