My theme is getting to a point where it feels extremely intense and like it’s screaming at me to do something about it, like it’s constantly nagging at me. Anyone have any advice? I’m really scared because I don’t want this to take over me. (I have self harm OCD) I just started medicine but I’m worried that won’t help either.

Yes that’s what my doctor told me. I know everyone is different but what med are you on if you don’t mind me asking? I just started celexa 20mg. I’m seeing a psychologist too, he said when I get the right med and eliminate most of my stress the thoughts should “stop going”. But that sounds too good to be true! Lol

@Anonymous I am on lexapro and trazadone ... it’s a process to find the right meds. I suggest you continue to see what med works for you. I’ve been on different ones. And NEVER quit one cold turkey. Learned that the hard way. I suggest therapy. Medicine for me was kinda like a bandaid ... it helps a lot but I am just realizing how much I still obsessed while on meds in the past. My thoughts didn’t race so much and the anxiety wasn’t near as bad but I still did compulsions. Therapy helps you cope. FYI I got off my meds when I got pregnant bc I was scared to be on them pregnant. Next pregnancy I will not get off.

@#happiness What kind of therapy are you doing? ERP? And how has medicine helped you? I just want the thoughts and urges to come down in intensity :( Of course I wish my theme could go away completely but idk if that’s possible. I have self harm OCD with avoiding staying alone and rumination compulsions.

Or, are you able to go see an OCD specialist. I would definitely recommend that if feels like you have no other option. As far as medications go, that’s awesome. I hope it works for you.

@NOCD Advocate - Charlee Thank you! I actually tried ERP for about a week, I know that’s definitely not long enough but my mind is so chaotic right now I felt like I couldn’t focus on the exercises. hopefully if I can get the right med and calm my mind down even just a tiny bit I can get back into it.

@NOCD Advocate - Charlee Also, I felt like the exercises weren’t really giving me any anxiety and they just felt like I was convincing myself the thoughts were true which was really weird and scary.

@Anonymous Well, exposures work differently for everyone. In fact, as long as it’s evoking you with an urge to perform a compulsoon(ruminate etc) then it’s an exposure, the next key step is response preventions. Saying, “maybe these thoughts are real, maybe they aren’t”