Just curious as to how many of you feel OCD started in your life due to extremely stressful circumstances. Also, how do you feel your overall health is, especially your gut health?

Sounds like you had a lot on your plate - and still do! I always just remember to take care of myself physically as much as I can. Whenever I’m anxious, I usually can trace it to one of those above causes! ? You’re stronger than you think. You got this! ??

@KyNeum, that’s so much stress for anyone, let alone a child! I’m sorry you had to go through that!

@KatieKat I appreciate your kind words, thank you. It’s been rough for sure but I feel like it’s only made me stronger as a person too.

@katiekat, were you diagnosed with a biotoxin illness and SIBO? I noticed improvement with the low fodmap diet too but just couldn't stick with the elimination phase long enough.

My overall health directly correlates to my ocd and how bad it is at the moment. Mine flared up when I picked up a second job (a lot of life changes also). Now, it flares up when I eat poorly, don’t sleep well, don’t exercise or if I’m not taking care of myself physically!

I can relate a lot! It mainly started for me after an old friend framed me, my health fell apart, and I had to quit my job after I had just been promoted due to health reasons. I’ve recently been diagnosed with something called CIRS due to mold exposure. It can mess with so many things, and it can cause a lot of anxiety. I’m hoping this will all be behind us for good once we get to the root cause behind the inflammation and sickness.

Not to mention, my husband was in Iraq! That’s when harm OCD first appeared, totally out of the blue.

I've had stomach pain and cramps every morning for years. Eventually I had a CAT scan done which came back clear. I then was referred to a gastroenterologist who suspected IBS and wanted me to follow a low fodmap diet which is very strict and stressed me out more so I stopped. After starting my SSRI medication I haven't had the gut pain, so I believe there is truth in what they say about the brain gut connection.

Had pretty intense anxiety as a kid, especially separation anxiety after my parents got a divorce, after that I had general anxiety and panic attacks, I feel like my anxiety sort have morphed into OCD which really started taking affect around the time I was 12.

@bubrub, so interesting! There is absolutely a gut brain connection. I’ve been on the low fodmap diet, and it did help my stomach feel better, but it sounds like it’s the biotixin illness that’s really the main culprit now, though I could still have some SIBO going on.

I am confident that I developed OCD in response to a particular trauma I experienced as a 7-year-old kid and in response to my emotionally abusive relationship with my dad. I am also confident I have a strong genetic predisposition toward OCD. I have at least one cousin (on my dad’s side) who also has pure-O. My dad’s side in general tends to struggle with anxiety and depression.

My mum thinks it started to show signs after both my grandparents passed away when I was 10 and 11, I definitely remember some ritual behaviours I felt I have to do to protect my other loved ones. I’ve been told I have IBS, been hospitalised with gut problems before.

I have major issues with my gut and they get worse anytime I get extra anxious.

@bubrub, I was diagnosed with the biotoxin illness called CIRS, and it’s seemed like I’ve had SIBO along with it, though I should do the breathe test to be sure.

Hugs to all of you! The connection between the gut and the brain is clear. I bet most of you have been on a crapload of antibiotics like me, as well.

Definitely after a period of stress. I had a full-time job, graduate school, roommate troubles, and a new boyfriend, all at the same time. It kinda broke me-I started getting symptoms after 3 months of it