- Username
- 21816ogeid
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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- Username
- MM
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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. 🍀
- Username
- babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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. 💜💜
- Username
- hanajadehanajade
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I know that it seems really difficult at the moment but you can get through this it will just take time.
- Username
- henry.omarhenry.omar
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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.
- Username
- asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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.
- Username
- babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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.
- Username
- asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y ago
@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.
- Username
- babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y ago
@asdfghj It’s such a delicate balance between actually getting stuff done without sending myself into worse mental paralysis!
- Username
- asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y ago
@babbie Because it starts off the compulsions you mean?
- Username
- babbiebabbie
- Date posted
- 4y ago
@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?
- Username
- asdfghjasdfghj
- Date posted
- 4y ago
@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...
- Username
- Kate Kate
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I’m sorry. Good luck to you you’ll get through it.
- Username
- Serio?Serio?
- Date posted
- 4y ago
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
- Username
- Ocdsucks
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m failing school because all I have on my mind is ocd and ocd thoughts. I’ll I think is “what If I’m a murderer” “what If I hurt someone” “no no no I don’t wanna do those things I really don’t”. I feel like it’s getting worse I can’t focus on school anymore and I’m gonna fail this quarter. I wake up and I just wanna sleep because I keep having these thoughts, I’ve been getting nightmares too and I just feel so hopeless and I’m always so anxious about being a bad person. Please help me out here
- Username
- cyb3rgurl
- Date posted
- 3y ago
my ocd is got worse again and school starts in 2 days which is gonna make things difficult for me. i am just so fucking frustrated and tired. i tried to resist the urge to go on this app bc i feel like it’s reassurance but i just have to rant. i have been fighting for so long and i feel like this is never going to end. i’ve been rly trying. earlier this month i thought i was getting better but it just went to shit again. i feel so guilty and disgusted w my ocd obsession like why did it have to be those type of intrusive thoughts. like why me. ocd is literally the worst and sometimes i just feel hopeless.
- Username
- richardmilly...
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Im just surviving atp
Ive gotten over some bad ocd episodes that have lasted months and months and i was so so happy when i realized it was achievable to overcome such an illness,but this time around it feels different i thought i had gone through everything but no theres always more,theres always the next intrusive thought,my intrusive thought this time that got me back in the dark ocd hole was,”what if i just stopped thinking”,it sounds so stupid and i didnt pay it much mind at first but then it popped back into my head and it told me “but what if everytime im about to think about something,i realize it and stop thinking about what i was thinking about.”this has made me feel so alienated in life,life feels grey and dull ive never had a thought stick around for so long its been 3 months and i havent heard anyone have anything similar too this i wake up every day scared of whag else my mind can bring to me to torment me and its so depressing in here.i cry a lot now thinking about the old me i used to be when i was happy and ocd free but I genuinely dont think i can live like this for long.Sorry for writing a whole essay but its the only way i could express what im feeling right now plz say something below.
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