21816ogeid
- Date posted
- 4y
MM
- Date posted
- 4y
My here are a few books that have really helped me that you might try. They are: Awareness by Anthony de Mello; The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer; The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle and Viktor Frankl’s main book (the name escapes me). For me they key to freedom is to find the small gap of time between our thoughts and our reaction. OCD is fundamentally about us “reacting” to our thoughts. We cannot control the thought (thoughts are just thoughts) but we can choose to control our response or reaction to the thought. If you can find that small gap of time between the thought and your response (compulsion) then you are back in control and will find freedom. The key thing is to sit in that gap and do NOT REACT OR ATTACH ANY MEANING TO THE THOUGHT. SIMPLY SIT WITH IT. As Michael Singer says “Relax and release.” Anthony De Mello says “Let it go.” Mr. Tolle says “Be in the Now.” Just sit with the thought, feel it and move forward when it dissipates. One more thing: at first you may need to do this constantly. That is ok. You are rewiring your brain (you can create née neural pathways via a concept called neuroplasticity). One final thought: using the breath as an “anchor” is critical. Breathe in slowly and exhale slowly. The breath will ground you to your body. And when you do this focus on “What am I feeling in my body?” Your body is always in the “Now” and this will help you stay I. The present Good luck. 🍀
babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y
I just want to say that guilt about not [studying] [having a job] [doing literally anything] can make obsessions worse, or even become one. So if you can give yourself a break about this stuff, do. You’re dealing with a mental illness. It’s hard work. 💜💜
hanajadehanajade
- Date posted
- 4y
I know that it seems really difficult at the moment but you can get through this it will just take time.
henry.omarhenry.omar
- Date posted
- 4y
You got this. You’re thoughts are not you and you will see your way out of this. I know exactly how you feel. I am just learning/feeling ready to re enter society myself. We can do this.
asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y
I was thinking about this earlier today. How studying seemed completely impossible because Im doing so bad mentally. And then I wondered if this was another avoidance compulsion. What happenes if you sit down at the table and open the book and read one sentence? So I managed to get up standing and walk to my desk, sat down and read ... and I got 1 hour done. Not because I had the strength to do it, but because I did it. Do you think not doing schoolwork can be a kind of avoidance on your part? For me it plays into perfectionist OCD, studying is triggering.
babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y
I have this about writing. My brain would way rather obsess about it than do it, so sometimes I just have to sort of skirt the system and just sit down and write anyway. And my brain’s like “...what??? You weren’t supposed to do that, you were supposed to stay here and ruminate???” And it’s like it’s so surprised it shuts up for a bit.
asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y
@babbie Hehe, it surprises me how much the OCD has made me avoid because it triggers other compulsions. Often when I think I have been depressed I realise it has been avoidance rather than lack of initiative. I know what I need/want to do but it feels like I cant because I cant! What if its wrong etc. So I ruminate/avoid. Trying out more of "just do it" shows that once I get going the anxiety subsides and I prove that obviously I can go for a walk, wash my clothes, shower etc.
babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y
@asdfghj It’s such a delicate balance between actually getting stuff done without sending myself into worse mental paralysis!
asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y
@babbie Because it starts off the compulsions you mean?
babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y
@asdfghj Because force doesn’t work at all. Just telling myself to “tough it out” or whatever makes everything worse. So I have to make sure I’m not doing that when I try to write etc. Sort of like engaging the thoughts vs allowing them I guess?
asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y
@babbie Yeah. It truly is a fine balance. I do feel the same about "pushing through". Obviously I have to push myself a little, and just start acting. But if I push too much it makes me ill. Thinking about what Im gonna do doesnt work either. Hoping to make some habits so everything doesnt have to be an exposure almost. But is just something I do...
Kate Kate
- Date posted
- 4y
I’m sorry. Good luck to you you’ll get through it.
Serio?Serio?
- Date posted
- 4y
It seems really dark right now but I’m sure with effort and grace to yourself you will pull through. Don’t give up
Related posts
veinsoul
- Date posted
- 23w
in need of help
I don’t know what I can do. I guess this is more of a depression thing than OCD but who knows. I have been battling this ongoing war within myself for years now and it’s been affecting my academic performance. situation of mine right now: I haven’t done a lot of work for my classes this month and I feel like I’m going to fail the semester again. I don’t know what it is but I can never seem to begin any work. I know I am capable but why can’t I get myself to start? why has this been going on for so long? I don’t understand. I have a history of good grades back in high school before I turned 17. I don’t even know how to describe it. it’s like I’ve been paralyzed and cannot do any work. but I can somehow do offside tasks like pinterest boards or random youtube videos. if I get rid of those, what do I do? I end up sleeping. because I’m tired. I have a low vitamin D deficiency & have been trying to get energy. I’m at a loss. I also bought unnecessary stuff on sunday when I went out with my family. I bought some things for the kids and I ended up buying myself a dress and a few accessories. now I have to work extra to gain that money back doing uber eats because I need it asap. it’s like I don’t want to work, for now. my coworkers who are around my age don’t work as much & I think to myself, “wow, they must be getting in the work done” meanwhile I’m working 3 days a week (which isn’t much) and attending school. I feel like if I change my schedule again, I’ll ruin it for the rest of my driver coworkers. I’m in a lead position at work so having to put on a mask is quite tiring. there’s so much I want to say that I don’t think it will fit in this post. I have booked a mental health session with a school counselor. all I want at the moment is to have my own place and be in a better mental state to take care of my cats. they mean a lot to me but this stupid ass undiagnosed mental issue is getting in the way. sorry for the long rant. I am tired.
moomoo22
- Date posted
- 22w
pls reply if you have help
i am a freshman in college and i have always struggled with depression, anxiety, and OCD. i have never received help for my OCD despite being medicated for my other two issues. i have noticed that what most of my panic stems from is my OCD and more specifically my OCD around school. i haven’t been able to get myself up for class for multiple days and im starting to panic about everything im missing and think about every little thing i have to fix. i am so behind that it makes me want to panic and i feel like i cant fix this. i just want my mind to feel normal but it feels like my whole world is falling apart all because i am feeling stuck in school. please help me i just want to feel okay but i dont know how to. i have tried doing all the assignments i can do to catch up but it isn’t enough i still feel so panicked
geodrimilis
- Date posted
- 18w
I need this to end.
I’ve completely lost myself. I can’t focus on my studies, I can’t go to the gym. Dang it I can’t even be around my male friends normally anymore. I got no idea why or how this happened but the only thing I know for sure is that I never questioned my sexuality neither doubted it. I never cared in general. I just liked girls. I keep testing and keep testing and keep testing my arousal but no matter how many times I see but I don’t feel the same way for guys that I do with girls my mind will always try to make me believe that I am gay. It’s like it’s forcing me into an identity I never asked for. But at the end of the day like my psychologist told me. Sexuality doesn’t change. So since I never felt anything for guys in my life it’s ocd. I’ve been up and down for 5 months now and while the last week I was feeling way better. Monday now and I’m back to zero. I just want to go back when everything was normal. I can’t keep living with this.
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