I feel so immature and dumb going through this at 23 years old how is it that one minute I’m fine and now I’m this

Thank you!

I salute you, sir ☺!

Thank you for your words!

Good for you!

Good to know I’m not alone in this, we’ll get through this ☺️

Omg you’re so strong, I always see you on this app providing younger people with hope thank you for your words ?

@gaby. Your welcome ☺.

Girl you’re stronger than you think. I’m unemployed currently and having mental breakdowns daily. Keep doing what you’re doing because it’s working!

@gaby. Thanks girl. I’m trying! Hang in there. Many people are unemployed during this time. Some petty coworker went to my boss complaining about me and said “is she even trying”. So I’m hanging by a thread hoping to have a job as long as I can. It’s a temp job too so I don’t have insurance and therefore can’t get the meds I need yet for my ocd. This year just needs to be over. I’m so over this pandemic!

@Anxiousgirl I worry about ocd affecting my work as well. It's so much to be working full time and have a head full of thoughts, but your head needs to be full if work thoughts. It's so overwhelming.

@Anxiousgirl I fee you. This pandemic has been horrible. 2020 is going nothing like I expected

@luchalysol I think honestly this pandemic and also being quarantined manifested my ocd and it literally feels like it came out of nowhere. 2020 is just a really bad year for everyone.

@luchalysol I just stopped giving a shit about everything. Like every time I get a work email saying “just circling back” or “look forward to hearing from you” I hate my life lol like go away I don’t wanna hear it

@gaby. I do think it worsened mine, but wasn't the main trigger. I agree. This year has been full blown chaos. It has been great for me, financially speaking, but that's about it

@Anxiousgirl Same here! Also the news, I just don't care anymore. And don't get me started on politics DONT FUCKING CARE ??

@gaby. I agree. I always knew I didnt like germs. I never liked handshakes and I washed my hands after meetings but like I NEVER had these thoughts before the pandemic. I never carried hand sanitizer. I could ride the subway and not disinfect my phone. Now I cant even touch things in my house and me and my hubby both work from home. It's all been brought about by the pandemic.

@catattak Omg I’m sorry that sounds so awful I can’t imagine that but I can say despite the fact we have different themes I do kind of have an idea. And I’m so relieved you relate to being “normal” before the pandemic it gives me comfort not reassurance seeking but it’s like sometimes I feel so misunderstood and so alone experiencing this. my friends are like “this literally came out of nowhere how did this happen what happened to you” and I can’t go anywhere without feeling anxious. I never questioned my sexuality I always knew I liked guys and then one day I get an intrusive image and now I’m this. I often hear people with ocd say the same like they can remember how they were before it hit them. Same with me, I know it’s bad but when I’m really depressed I’m always like reflecting on my past self.

@gaby. Before I realized this was ocd, I remember having a consultation with my new therapist (my old one has gone on mat leave) and telling her I'm just not myself. Actually I remember telling this to my doctor too when asking for anti anxiety medication. They were both like "what do you mean not yourself?". I've even told my husband this is so messed up because before the pandemic, I was this strong independent woman who didnt need a thing from anyone. I'm the bread winner of my house, I have two university degrees and 2 college diplomas, I've lived on my own before him, I've been a social worker, I've faced and overcome so much. Now in the past half a year, I've melted into this weak, fearful person that I dont even know. Before I went to university, i was a sketch and improv comedian. Now i cant even laugh or tell a joke. I'm so serious and scared and its bullshit. I hate it. I also started out believing i would go back to my old self after the pandemic, and now I'm wondering if all of this mental trauma will change me forever. You're not alone and I hope we can both work through this and find our old selves again.

@catattak I relate to everything you’re saying about not being yourself. Before I was diagnosed I found a general psychotherapist and I remember saying the same thing and the session didn’t help me i ended up doing a ton of compulsions and ruminating and I ended up going to the ER that day because I felt like I was having a heart attack. And same I was in a pretty good place before this hit me I had goals and I was determined I was studying for the GRE and now it’s like I’m a different person. We will get through this though. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me, I truly feel like we’re together in this and we will come out of this stronger!