Do thoughts last forever?

I am so sick of hearing “they never go away you just learn to manage them better” but how can I be expected to ever be happy again when this is what’s in my head? Yes I get that they become less important but still I cannot just accept that I’ll think of this forever and i absolutely hate that fact that it’s most likely the reality. But I don’t quite understand how life before OCD I was “normal” and didn’t have bizarre thoughts all day only sometimes and why I cannot be that way again? Like if I’m re-wiring my brain then can’t it return back to normal? I just can’t accept a life like this I DO NOT want to think like this all day for the rest of my life and only get maybe a month break from having thoughts but it comes back. I may as well leave what is the point in fighting for a life that will never bring me happiness only frustration I don’t want it even if I get “better” cause that better is not better to me.

tired!

Date posted: 17h

I totally understand. I feel the same way and it leaves me wondering if I should just be alone for the rest of my life so I can have the most control over everything so I can ease my thoughts. In my experiences the thoughts will come in waves so you will have periods of not noticing them. I think that like most people with chronic issues, there are periods of remission and flares. It’s sort of like something that needs to be maintained in order to not notice it. I’m sorry it feels like it will be forever. But it’s a lot of ups and downs

anonymous.22

Date posted: 17h

I feel stubborn but I just can’t accept that I’ll have flare ups again and again for the rest of my life, I just feel like a human right has been taken from me, being told I can never return back to normal and will always be trapped by this disorder. but regardless thank you for your reply it’s one of the more positive responses ❤️‍🩹

Anonymous

Date posted: 17h

So sorry you’re going through this. I’m in my 40s and know EXACTLY how you feel / my OCD started at age 5. And no one knew what was ‘wrong’ with me until I was about 18. I can only speak for myself, but the covid pandemic almost broke me ( I have severe contamination OCD). With help from a Doctor, I finally relented and started medication…gradually worked my way up (starting at 50mg) to 200mg of Zoloft over about an 8 week period - not a cure for me, but the compulsions and intrusive thoughts are down significantly. Also, I haven’t had a full blown panic attack in a few years (was having them every month before medication).

anonymous.22

Date posted: 17h

I’m so sorry it started so young for you💔 that’s awful I will count myself self lucky that I at least got to 16 without it, and I’m so glad to hear that you haven’t had a full panic attack in years, that is so awesome to hear I hope that you’ll never have to deal with one again. How have the intrusive thoughts changed for you? Or OCD/ anxious thoughts as in the physical reaction does it still have that effect or does that wither away eventually and it becomes much easier to get over?

Anonymous

Date posted: 16h

@anonymous.22 Thanks! With my medication, the intrusive thoughts are still there, but it’s like they are very sleep; so before the med, it was years of ‘if I get sick, I can’t work’ - ‘if I get a cold, it’s gonna be pneumonia a week later’ ; and on and on and on… as all us OCD fighters can relate to in some form or fashion. After the med it’s like, ‘if I get sick… I’m not going to work, it’s just going to have to wait’; ‘if I get a cold, it will suck but I’ve never had a cold that turned into pneumonia so whatever’. Everyone is different though - what med works for me might / won’t work for someone else. BUT, I’m glad I finally tried it. Good days, bad days. I make a point of trying to cherish and let the good days inundate me with the peace it provides to carry me through the bad ones. Wishing you the best of luck - and NEVER give up. The odds of just existing as a human are astronomical… and always try to find the beauty in the small things.

anonymous.22

Date posted: 14h

@Anonymous - I’m glad to hear the meds help you!! And thank you very much for the kind words, best of luck to you as well I hope that life brings you much peace and happiness!

☮️Better_Me☯️

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 16h

You have said exactly how I feel when my OCD is at it's worst. I had my OCD under control for many years until perimenopause hit. Now, I'm struggling again and back in therapy. I feel for you and I know it's not easy. Positive and healing vibes to you ✨️

anonymous.22

Date posted: 16h

I’m sorry to hear that! It must’ve been extra rough after being good for so long for it all to just crumble back down, one question though how was it being recovered? Like were thoughts still there constantly or it’s like you didn’t even have OCD at all or at least not much! I just feel so out of control and frustrated it feels unfair that I’m to accept terms and conditions I haven’t picked or gain anything from. As anyone else with this disorder would feel too, but anyways thanks you for your reply and your kind words ! All the best I hope that you’ll get better soon❤️‍🩹

Tagalong212899

Date posted: 16h

exactly.

julesiemarie

Date posted: 16h

i also feel this way, my psychiatrist told me the same thing. i miss who i was before my OCD took over, and i hope i can get back to that person, but i have hope that people like us will eventually get there with the right help. but just know your life is worth living, even if OCD makes it hard, i would be lying if i said i didn't have the same thoughts as u from time to time, but honestly i just pray to God and try to take it day by day.

anonymous.22

Date posted: 15h

thank you! It’s just feels not worth it if life is always going to be so hard but it’s worth a shot, so I hope we can get better and live much better happier life’s ❤️‍🩹

subtronicsze...

Date posted: 15h

I think what they mean is that eventually the thoughts become like every other passing though, you eventually stop taking notice and don’t react to them. Like the same way you wonder what’s for breakfast tomorrow, and don’t concern yourself with it for the rest of the day.

anonymous.22

Date posted: 14h

oh thank goodness 😅 that’s great to hear cause another thing I was worried about was everything becomes OCD related like I have a weird thought instantly I know it’s OCD I just want to not even consider OCD just move on! Thank you 🙏 ❤️‍🩹

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