Hey everybody. I'm struggling with my somatic ocd. I realize that when I don't have intrusive thoughts, this obssession of controling my breath dominates me. It's so exhausting. I'm always afraid of something bad happens because of this obessssion, but I can't stop it. Anyone can help me?

Somatic OCD

Catherine486957

Date posted: 4y

Hi, I also have somatic ocd and I gotta say the biggest thing that has helped me is just realizing that there is no escape, that I cannot control what my body is doing and therefore that I have to let go of any resistance. Your breathing keeps you alive, it will never stop and there’s nothing you can do about that. So accepting that helps, also turning the bodily function that is bothering you into a meditation. Thanking your body every time it makes you aware, and paying even MORE attention to it. The basis of mindfulness is paying attention to the breath. So if you can shift your perception of the awareness, that it’s not a threat but actually a good thing, and that the awareness feels good and is nothing to be afraid of, you will notice that the awareness starts to diminish. Ultimately we can’t control where our minds go. The awareness of our bodies we experience is out of our control, so we have to reclaim that. Intentionally focus on it, and you’ll realize that focusing on it can feel kind of good! Then, your brain stops treating the awareness as a threat and is able to move on

Rose

Date posted: 4y

Thank you soo much❣ I've started meditation recently. I hope I get better

Catherine486957

Date posted: 4y

I promise it helps, stick with it! It’s possible to totally change your relationship to your body, and believing/knowing that that is true and that you are capable is half that battle

Rose

Date posted: 4y

Can you tell me what app did you use to get over it or was a channel on the YouTube?

Catherine486957

Date posted: 4y

@Rose I wouldn’t say that I’m “over it,” and I wish I could recommend some quick fix to you. But unfortunately there isn’t one. This problem takes time to work through, and recovery will not be linear. Therapy is more important than any app or YouTube channel. Learning how to do exposures and how to step closer to the anxiety is important. But as far as apps and channels go, The Ocd Stories is a great podcast with a few important and impactful mentions of somatic ocd, and I like the YouTube channel called OCD and Anxiety. Also attending the webinars here in the NOCD community always helps me. But really this is not something that is just going to *poof* disappear. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and a restructuring of your entire belief system. I have experienced periods of great symptom relief, wherein hyper awareness didn’t bother me at all. But now, because of environmental stress, it has popped back up. The difference is that now, after a lot of learning and experimenting, I have a new set of tools to deal with it. Therapy, dedication, patience, and self compassion are all essential. Think about how much time you’ve spent being hyper aware. That is going to take time to undo, because your brain has been wiring those neural feedback channels for so long!! So be patient, and try to avoid the mindset of, “I have to find a quick fix, I need to get rid of this feeling.” Unfortunately, the harder you try to get rid of the feeling, or “get over it,” the worse your symptoms will become. You have to befriend the feeling. The more you try to escape it, the more severe it will become

Rose

Date posted: 4y

@Catherine486957 I understand. It demands a lot of dedication and persistence. Thank you for the tips😊 I wish to you all the love and strength❣

nsenzel

Date posted: 4y

@Rose I struggle with this same issue 24/7! Has it gotten any better for you ?

Rose

Date posted: 4y

Hi! I've started meditation. I do it 5 times a week for 30 minutes. I've watched videos of a guy who is specialist in OCD( his channel is OCD and Anxiety). I've also searched on the internet about this type of OCD to understand more what is happening to me. I'm gonna write what website I've found more effective for help: https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/treating-sensorimotor-ocd-aka-somatic-ocd/ It's important to be patient with yourself. Don't think about get rid of it as soon as possible. You have to say to yourself: " if my OCD bothers me, it's ok. I can live with it". Try to normalize the sensation that you're feeling and don't panic. You have to practice acceptance and this obssession might decrease. During the meditation, thank your body for keeping your alive. I strongly recommend therapy and try to occupy your mind. For us, we never get over it, but we can learn about how to live with it. I hope you get better❣

nsenzel

Date posted: 4y

Thank you !❤️

Rose

Date posted: 4y

@nsenzel Read what Catherine said to me. She told me some good tips🥰

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