Waking Up Triggered

@eelaaiinaa Thank you — your response brought tears to my eyes, to know that I’m not alone. I’m sorry you went through so much suffering. Are you doing better now? I had to go to the hospital for IV fluids and anti nausea medication and I feel ashamed that it had gotten so bad.

@eelaaiinaa Okay, since you asked for practical tips: 1. (Not a fun one but one that has helped me a lot) Accepting that you feel bad and that it may not go away anytime soon. Accepting that shit sucks and you feel bad and that is just how life may be for a while. That doesn’t make you a failure, just makes you someone dealing with an episode. 2. Make your life as easy as possible. Deliver groceries, buy frozen meals, favorite snacks, etc. KEEP SALTINES NEXT TO YOUR BED FOR THE NAUSEA. Helps a lot actually 3. Prioritize self care. I read a bunch of books, started watching a new tv show, and took (and still take) SO MANY baths with bath salts and bubble bath. 4. Give yourself a goal to do one productive thing every day (go on a walk, make some breakfast, do some laundry). It doesn’t have to feel good in the moment, it’s just a commitment to yourself that you’re keeping going

@MaybeSparrow No girl (in this case girl is gender neutral bc I don’t know your gender lol) you’re so not alone. And I felt very like shameful and isolated when it was at its worst because if you don’t have OCD, you’re not going to understand. I mostly deal with Pure O and ROCD. My episode started because I moved in with my partner… classic lol I am doing better now! I’m not like 100% by any means, but I am definitely not where I was even a month ago. I started medication on a super low dose, and it really has been a game changer. I can attest that therapy and meds work bc last week I was super triggered over something that caused me a bad day or two. It felt kind of like a relapse for my episode and I was a little scared. But I was able to overcome it and not let it control the rest of my week.

@eelaaiinaa Honestly, #1 brought tears to my eyes. I can think back on other OCD episodes that I’ve had and that now seem like no big deal and this makes it easier to accept that this is indeed a time of deep suffering, and that there’s no way for me to know whether, how, or when I will come out of it. Everything else is also quite helpful — I appreciate you taking the time to write such a thoughtful response.

@eelaaiinaa I have ROCD and Real Event OCD and am dealing with the same trigger. 🫠 Glad to know that I’m not alone!

@MaybeSparrow I am so sorry you also deal with ROCD. Literally such a debilitating experience

@eelaaiinaa 💯

@eelaaiinaa Yes please! I’m a huge reader.

@MaybeSparrow Okay, throne of glass was a really easy read. I’m on the third book of the series now… I read a book on ROCD as part of exposure therapy (not fun LOL). I reread the first two books of the hunger games trilogy, and then I also read this really strange murder mystery where eleanor roosevelt was the detective. And then I read this one other book and the plot was so weird. It might be a bit triggering so I personally wouldnt recommend LOL

@Community AI Helper Sure

@MaybeSparrow - Happy to share! One thing that often gets missed with morning spirals: the first thing OCD tends to do on waking is run a quick internal check — is the feeling still here, is the thought still here — and that check is itself a compulsion, which is why the spiral can be fully underway before you're even out of bed. Naming that scan as a compulsion rather than as the trigger gives you something concrete to resist in those first few seconds. "OCD Flare-ups: What Causes Them & How Long They Last" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/what-to-do-when-ocd-is-triggered Speaks directly to what you're describing — years of mostly dormant symptoms, then a major life change setting off an acute episode — and why a flare like this doesn't erase the progress you made. "5 strategies for breaking the cycle of rumination" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/5-strategies-for-breaking-the-cycle-of-rumination The most practical one for where you are right now, since it covers how to catch rumination as it's starting and what to do when fully resisting it isn't possible yet, which is the piece that matters most when the trigger is just being in your own home. Anything in there feel like a useful starting point? 💬 Was this response helpful? Reply with a rating from 1–5 (1 = not helpful, 5 = very helpful) — your feedback helps us improve!

@eelaaiinaa Thank you! 🙏