I need help. I have attempted suicide 4 times. My ocd was in remission. But know it's back. I have been struggling for over a year.

That’s good. Has it been helpful for you? What kind of things specifically are you looking for more help on? I’m not a therapist but I can do my best.

Did they set you up with a therapist outside the hospital when you left? Otherwise what resources do you have to be able to keep doing erp on your own? And do you have any coping strategies for dealing with suicidal feelings? Mostly I’m just trying to figure out what you’ve tried so I can come up with new ideas.

I think what’s helped me most is just having a few coping strategies in my back pocket. I draw or paint when I get anxious, for example. I also might text a friend, sometimes to talk about my anxiety, sometimes to talk about something else. I might also watch a funny YouTube video to make me smile. I like watching people make things too, I find that relaxing. If you google “coping strategies,” you’ll find lots of ideas for things you can do when your anxious.

@Nikki1809 Sometimes, especially with erp, we just have to sit with the anxiety and remind ourselves that we are strong enough to cope with it.

Im just someone who has ocd. I did get my bachelors degree in counseling psychology, but I decided I don’t have enough people skills to be a therapist. I still like helping out people here if I can. And I plan to go into psychology research.

@Nikki1809 Research psychology—how does one get into that? I love psychology (social, personality, abnormal...), but am an introvert who is often lacking in bedside manner.

@Alyosha Yeah! I tried to be a therapist, I got my undergraduate degree as a double major in art therapy and in clinical counseling psychology. But what happened was when I got to classes where research was required I kind of fell in love, and when I tried clinical work I found I was super anxious all the time. I’ve only just graduated with my bachelors and am going on to get my masters, my first day is Wednesday. But I think, start with a bachelors in psychology, and take as many opportunities to do research as possible. I did a summer project outside of my class. Research helps you get into a graduate program. Then instead of applying to a masters program that leads to therapeutic lisensure I applied to a program that focuses on research methods. I haven’t actually worked in a lab yet, but I’m hoping I’ll get more direction for how to start finding a career during my masters program. I might go on to get a PhD after if I’m not sick of school yet. My home town happens to be a place that has many psychology research labs, so that’s helpful. I’ll be getting some experience with research as a graduate assistant helping professors.

@Nikki1809 That’s awesome!! Best wishes.

@Alyosha Thank you 😊