Does anyone else have bladder ocd? How do you manage it? I’m trying to get out of this one TMI* - wiping too much - feeling I have to pee and then going even when I don’t need to - “just in case” peeing - checking to see if I leaked - constant false feelings - scared to move my body How do you manage it?
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Happy to share! One thing worth knowing about somatic and bladder-focused OCD: the exposure work often isn't about focusing harder on the sensation, since you're already doing that — it's about stopping the scanning and the attention-checking. The checking for leaks and the constant monitoring of bladder sensations are compulsions too, and so is avoiding movement, which is part of why the "false feelings" keep showing up so loudly. "What is bladder OCD? When intrusive thoughts target urination" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/bladder-ocd Clinically reviewed by April Kilduff, this one names the exact pattern you listed — frequent trips, "just in case" peeing, checking bladder sensations — and walks through how to tell it apart from a medical issue and what ERP targets first. "What Are Somatic OCD Exposures? Explanation and Examples" https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/somatic-ocd-exposures-explanation-examples Explains why somatic exposures look different from other subtypes, including how therapists work on body scanning and on re-approaching the things you've stopped doing because they make you more aware of sensations. Are you working with a therapist who specializes in OCD specifically, or more of a general therapist? 💬 Was this response helpful? Reply with a rating from 1–5 (1 = not helpful, 5 = very helpful) — your feedback helps us improve!
Yes, I still struggle a bit with it to this day but back then I would go to the bathroom every 5 minutes, and I had/have the "just in case" peeing. It didn't help that at some point I was having mild issues with my bladder. And during school I always fear that I one day will have an accident during class. What I do to sort of combat it, I'm sorry if it isn't helpful I'm not a professional- but what I'd do is that when these thoughts would show up I'd begin to think about other things. "I wonder what I'm doing after school", "I remember seeing something cool last night", "I wonder what's the time right now?" And then afterwards try to respond to those thoughts instead and having an entire casual conversation with myself until I'm distracted and forget the feeling of needing to use to the restroom. So basically in summary, it's just try your best to distract yourself.! It's hard at first but when you get the jist, it'll start to feel less overwhelming. : )
I have this too, but haven't started working with my therapist on it yet, so I don't have any solid advice. You are not alone though, and it's terrible! It makes going places so stressful. I was listening to Dr McGrath and Grayson on the NOCD youtube chsnnel the other day, and they weren't talking about this specifically but were talking about body stuff, and one of them said to remind yourself to think about it. I can't remember the details, but maybe a sticky note by your computer or a reminder alarm on your phone. Maybe it's one of those things where you try to make your brain board of it? Or maybe they were saying to work on it times outside of just when it flares up naturally? I don't know, so maybe bringing it up wasn't helpful, but I thought the concept sounded interesting. I haven't tried it yet 🤔 I'm supposed to be going back to work in person soon and I'm not looking forward to this OCD theme in the workplace again!
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