Does anyone have any advice for what to do when OCD symptoms are not prevalent? I am coming out of a week of pretty intense ROCD/HOCD thoughts coupled with some severe depression just yesterday morning. I persisted through it all and now I finally feel at ease and clear minded. These reprieves usually come after a strong OCD cycle. I feel almost completely normal and when I think about how much time I spent anxious and ruminating it finally feels foreign. I truly cherish these periods and typically just enjoy them while attempting to not think about my OCD for as long as possible. Is there anything I should be doing during this time to prepare/educate myself in anticipation for the next inevitable cycle of OCD? Does anyone have any tips they can share of what they do to make the most of their limited time free of symptoms? I appreciate anyone taking the time to read this post and respond.

I love this! I will definitely write some inspiring messages for myself to reflect on. Preemptive planning for my future self! Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm so happy to hear you have been free of symptoms for some time! I spend so much time focusing on my relationships with others when I'm in the thick of it (ROCD is one of my main themes) that these methods of self love you're describing don't even cross my mind. I have tried all of these activities to varying success over the past year but haven't stuck with them. Establishing a healthy routine like you are suggesting would help ensure I can stick with my self love even when I feel consumed by ruminations. Thank you so much for the suggestions!

I have heard that analogy as well, it perfectly describes the cycle of OCD. I did 3 sessions with a therapy through NOCD, and on the 3rd session my therapist informed me she would no longer be working with NOCD. I was in-between wash cycles at the time and feeling pretty good about my progress so I chose to take what I had learned from her and proceed without further sessions with a new therapist. I have since been laid off due to COVID and having complications with my unemployment so money is very tight. Once I have income again I plan to start with another therapist and do some exposures. It feels great now to have this clarity and surety of self but I know all too well how temporary it can be. In the meantime I will look into the self administer option through the app. Thank you for your words and keeping me on track!

Best wishes to you as well!

@DreamEvolution I’m sorry you’ve been messed around so much... I really hope the money situation improves! Having to break the bank to escape what’s going on inside your head is definitely... something. If you do enough research on ERP and are aware of the risks that you’re facing, self-administration can be equally as beneficial as working with a therapist, and plus you have had the initial ground-work set. Knowing that your time between ‘wash cycles’ (lol) is finite can be pretty crushing. The wash cycle doesn’t have to be a way of existing, you can escape it with ample amount of ERP, this has been proven by many recoverers. You don’t have to live your life waiting for the next punch in the stomach! Sending you my best, best wishes! I hope you beat this beast soon!

@Ellie (Just realised I said best wishes twice... the more the better I guess lol 🤷🏻‍♀️)

@Ellie I really appreciate it! My girlfriend is working so we have some stability in income. I did quite a lot of research into ERP before signing up for my first sessions with NOCD. I have also read some of the book Brain Lock as suggested by my therapist and written extensive notes from the parts that I have read so by this stage I'd say I have a solid grasp of OCD, how it works, and what needs to be done to combat it. Yet while all this info is great it does me little good when I'm in the throes of another wash cycle. That's why utilizing this time of clarity for more than just enjoyment seems so important! I love you analogy of waiting for the next punch in the stomach. Thank you again for pointing me towards recovery from this point of understanding I find myself at. It's nice to be aware of the cycles of OCD and how it affects me. It would be even more nice to eventually beat this thing! There can never be too many best wishes! Best, best wishes to you on your journey! And more best wishes to everyone out there struggling who stumbled upon this thread!