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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! ??

@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'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.

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.

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