Does anyone have any tips for when the thoughts are just so overwhelming? Even the little things I used to enjoy like grabbing a coffee or watching a tv show I just have no motivation for. These thoughts are happening by the minute and I can’t focus on anything else. When I try to distract myself they’re in the back of my mind.

Breathing techniques are really good !

what used to mork for me was to just sit in a quiet room and think about everything going through my mind and even talk to myself about it. then when there isn't anything left to think about or even if it is i leave it aside and try to start over with your activity: watching a tv show, coffe or whatever. and when onther intensive thoughts come to mind just ignore them. what im trying to say is that if you finish and start over it'll be easier for you to tell yourself "no i started over so i won't pay attention to those thoughts. " this method may not work the first time or ever. i don't want to discourage you im just being realistic. but it does help me and i recomend you try it it won't harm you. the truly best option is to find what works for you. so just try out different things untill you find out what best works for you! Good luck;)

@mira.raz That's a good way! Also the breathing techniques are really good too @jaybaggs8

Look up mark Freeman’s interview on Ocd stories, he has some great tips for mindfulness, and how we can carry out activities and allow our thoughts to come in, and come out. Like watching the road and the cars just going right on by. Distraction only works sometimes for me. The thoughts end up just coming anyways when I try to distract myself. Mindfulness really seems to work. Write down the things that make you happy (or used to make you happy) try to do one thing while practicing mindfulness xxx

Yesterday I wrote into my diary why I feel useless and worthless and then continued to write down a monologue as to why I feel that way. Using that, I was able to point out the underlying conflict that sparked anxiety, which later on sparked my attempts to neutralize my fears by thinking way too much about them. I know that I can take my notes/diary entries to therapy and read them to my therapist. That way I get a feedback and homework on how to challenge myself to work through my fears without using compulsions to escape my fears. But I always focus on making only babysteps and then go and watch some episodes of a TV show to reward myself.