Does anybody else have the theme of constantly having to prove that you’re ‘normal’? For me, that’s constantly searching up what certain things I do mean, and why they’re relevant. Constantly trying to find reassurance online that I’m just like everybody else. The idea that I could be different in anyway is DAUNTING. When it’s bad, it takes up my days and it’s practically all I can think about, and it’s starting to impede on my social interactions as I’m constantly monitoring whether what I said was normal, etc etc.

Thank you for this! Those are really good exposures and I’ll definitely try those out. For me, it doesn’t really sit in social interaction as much as it does in “was that a weird thought” sort of thing. But it definitely floods into social interaction, where I’m like “am I being too sarcastic” “is it normal to be sarcastic”, those sorts of things. I’m sorry that you’re struggling with friends etc, I hope you’re able to manage that in the future!

@Bella Ohh I get it! I think that’s common with ocd, we’re afraid our thoughts are weird or bad. Sometimes in social situations I think “I bet no one else here thinks the thought I think” and I start feeling panicky. And thank you, I’m thinking of starting medication just for a little extra help in my recovery and hopefully it will have a positive effect on my social life!

I’m sorry you feel like that. Being inauthentic is so beyond draining, doing that for too long can be damaging. I think a lot of modern society values individuality, and when I see people who have the balls to stand out from the crowd, I’m envious of them, so think of that in terms of that! I think a lot of this can be dropped when we just realise that life is SHORT. Being too preoccupied with how we compare to the masses is just wasting your time! Hopefully that helps a little, I definitely need to take that advice lmao

@Bella It's so cool that by replying to me you ended up giving the best advice to you ahah. But yeah I feel you, I admire people who seem to be assertive and themselves all the time and wish that for me as well. But i agree with you. We just have to stop and not overthink ourselves. It is what it is, and it's gonna be different depending on who we are with.

@SensibleMari lmaooo, I know. I guess it was just locked up in my subconscious waiting to come out. This is just evidence that with OCD, we know the answer to our fears, but they don’t actually help - because I’m still sat here worrying and ruminating! Sending you my best wishes!