Everyone says to me when I say, I have ocd i hate my life, that many people live with it, but everyone that I meet with OCD is miserable and barely surviving, so aren't we all just doomed with a chronic condition ? I mean even "recovered" people say they still struggle with it so honestly, whats the point? Im being a realist. Opinions are welcomed. Maybe I am missing the bigger picture

Hi I have been diagnosed with it after dealing with my second spike. What you mentioned also use to scare me buttttt it is important to note that even if you didn’t have ocd you would still have intrusive thoughts but you would know how to handle them!! ‘normal’ people question things and think weird things all the time but they know how to deal w it whereas w us ocd latches onto these thoughts. I can promise you rhat you are totally capable of living a full life with OCD because I have done it myself after being diagnosed with 4 different themes!!

I do want to talk. Can u add my snapchat or instagram?

There’s people like Jon Hershfield, or Ethan Smith, or Jeff Bell, who seem to be enjoying themselves despite the chronic nature of their OCD.

I've had OCD for almost 40 years now. I've been in therapy and on meds for over 20. It's definitely chronic, I've been having a big flare this summer. But, I also have 3 awesome kids, a husband, had a decent job (I was laid off recently), and am so grateful for the awesome things I've been able to experience in my life, despite the shit show that OCD can be.

It's worth it to try, even if things don't go perfectly.

@Sunflower 1234 🤣 yes, sucks the life out of me too. Like raising kids isn't challenging enough! It is hard and depressing, and I've definitely felt terrified and angry about what my life will be like in the long run, but gotta keep going for the good moments.

I was diagnosed in my 20's, but looking back it was there from early childhood. I've actually been with same therapist for a long time, but had stretches where I'd only go every 3 months or so, just as maintenance and to check on meds. I haven't done ERP officially, although a lot of what I've figured out over the years sounds a lot like ERP. If it had been widely available when I was younger or OCD more talked about then, I'd probably have done it. I'm so glad I found this forum though,I've learned so much in just three months. Still, obviously, it's chronic, and relapses happen, and med changes, etc. I'm exhausted too, but stubborn maybe as well. I don't know, my family has always talked about mental illness and sought help for it, so I think that probably helped too. A month ago though, I was not feeling so confident. It's comes and goes, especially according to my stress levels.

Me too, doing ERP on my own. I started with out just trying to do regular life things . Then watching triggering shows and reading articles, etc. I get what you mean about too much exposure though. I've done that before!

I felt like that for a looonnngggg time, but I got a lot of treatment for it and now I can finally live my life and barely get anxious. It feels like there’s no hope, but I promise you, you don’t want to give up because when it’s all over you get your life back, I’ve never been happier than I am now that I’m healthy❤️❤️I’m here if u want to talk too!

Of course! Give me your @❤️