When someone comes to talk to me about ocd & want some comfort or words of understanding I like to be there for them... But I start feeling hevaily uncomfortable like I start carrying their worries and stresses, I start thinking and ruminating about their intrusive thoughts. When I'm online I can control it to an extent as I can choose when to stop reading a post and when to stop talking to someone, but in person or when I'm having a convo with someone I know I feel like I can't just leave, especially when they're having a hard time and coming to me for advice and comfort.

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

Hey! I haven't experienced this with OCD people on the outside world, as I don't know anyone with it. But I totally get it with general problems! It's like a pure panic feeling of : "Oh no, what's the right thing to say to them??? How do I make it better?? I don't know what's the perfect thing they need in this moment from me. And maybe what I want to say to them ISN'T the perfect right thing to say." so I get really uncomfortable and usually quiet (busy doing compulsions in my head) and hoping for the conversation topic to switch. It could be down to an incorrect belief of responsibility for others. At least for me..

Teee123

Date posted: 5y

Thanks for your message ❤️ yess I think a lot of it does come down to the responsibility towards others that I put on myself...

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

@Teee123 ❤️Are you in therapy? 😊

Teee123

Date posted: 5y

@ButterflyStar No I'm not, are you?

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

@Teee123 Yes I am.. For 2 years now this month. Would you like to start therapy? It would be so great for your recovery 😊

Teee123

Date posted: 5y

@ButterflyStar I don't think I can afford therapy rn 😩 I wanted to try NOCDs therapy sessions but they don't do it in the country I'm living in

Teee123

Date posted: 5y

@ButterflyStar How are you finding therapy?

Aheatherb

Date posted: 5y

I’m exactly the same x

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

Aww I'm sorry it's not available. It's not available in my country either. Where do you live? I'm in the UK so I have thankfully been able to get therapy for free through the NHS. Yes its been absolutely crucial. OCD really wiped me out, I wasn't functioning and was very suicidal for a number of long months. But slowly, surely, very very slowly, with this great therapist she has guided me in recovery. I'm still on my journey of recovery but I have came a long way 😊👍

Teee123

Date posted: 5y

Awhh that's difficult, im glad you're doing better than before 💕💕 I'm also from UK but I moved to Qatar a year ago and healthcare is expensive here 😭

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

@Teee123 Thank you! Aw gosh wow!! What's that like living in Qatar? 😊

babbie

Date posted: 5y

Sometimes when you’re dealing with a mental illness, you can’t be there for others. That’s okay. You’re allowed to ask your friends to talk to someone else about their symptoms, and just talk about friend things with you for a while.

Aheatherb

Date posted: 5y

I totally get this too! I also think it’s feeling like I’m responsable for others. Not really with OCD stuff, but with other people’s general Troubles or worries. People often come to me as I’m kind and caring, but sometimes it’s just too much for my brain! But of course I just stay, listen and panic and become overwhelmed with their/my emotions! I suck them all in like a sponge! Afterwards I just obsess over how to fix people’s problems, or wonder how I could be partially responsible, and what I can do to help! I’ve worn myself out trying to help my best friend with her job.. e.t.c.... e.tc. It’s hard and I feel ya! X I’m also in the UK and have just finally got my first NHS appointmrnt coming up!

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

Everything you described is definitely how I am too!! It's so distressing 😔😔 So glad you are getting your help from the NHS yay!! Some things that helped me- Was to ask the therapist, "Have you worked with OCD patients before?" "a lot or just a few?" "what's your method for treating OCD? Would you be eventually taking me through ERP?" depending on how severe your OCD is, and how much this affects your life--you can ask how many sessions you will be given. For me, i was completely not functioning and suicidal because of the OCD and I had to state at the start, look I can't just be given '6 sessions from the NHS' or something like that, I really really need long term help because I cannot survive like this. And thankfully, she has kept to her word and we are in long term treatment. It's been 2 years. And I won't always be in treatment forever😂! But until I can get a hold of OCD and understand how to manage it better. Hope some of that helps and I wish you the very best on your recovery journey 😁😁❤️

Aheatherb

Date posted: 5y

@ButterflyStar Thank you so much for your comment! I feel less alone! I will definitely be asking my therapist the questions you shared! so helpful. It’s really tricky to make sure your getting the right help.. as in the past Nothing has worked long term! I’m sorry you’ve experienced this its really distressing and overwhelming,😞 but I’m so glad your in a better place and on the road to recovery, got what you needed out of therapy, And are in a place to help others! Good luck! X

ButterflyStar

Date posted: 5y

@Aheatherb Yes your pains and worries are definitely shared by others, and we will support you!! 😊👍 Aw thank you so much your comment was really lovely! Yes it's hard isn't it when nothing else works. But you did the best thing which is ask for help and enter treatment 😊👍 there are surprisingly a lot of people who do not want to start therapy even with the means to. So well done! 😁😊X

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond