I’m entirely aware that it’s irresponsible to try to receive advice from anyone who is unqualified, but I’m at a loss at this point, and I’m just looking for guidance: So, I’ve never struggled with depression. I have definitely struggled with anxiety - but never ‘depression’. I’ve felt down as a result of my anxiety, but I was still able to feel happy to some degree. Recently, because of some external things going on, I have just felt awful. I have OCD, and then on top of that I feel like everybody hates me. I have friends, but I just feel like people don’t like me - even though they used to. It’s a long story, and I don’t have the energy to put it all here, and I’m sure people don’t have the energy to read. But I’ve felt miserable. I’m not sure whether it’s depression... I look online, but I can’t tell. Sometimes I feel amazing, and then other times I feel borderline suicidally miserable. I’m sure if I didn’t have the problems I’m experiencing I wouldn’t be dealing with this...

EXTRA RESOURCES THAT HELPED ME I’ve had OCD my whole life and it’s changed over and over from contamination to sexual orientation to relationship. Most of my life it was contamination and “just right” stuff, but after going through a massive existential crisis, I started getting all kinds of uncontrollable thoughts. It got to the point where I actually didn’t think I could ever get better. Every day, I was waiting for someone in my family to tell me they were taking me to an institution and I expected I would be there forever. This was roughly from the end of 2017 through 2020 with some “okay” months thrown in. But one day last spring I decided I wanted to live a “normal” life. And here’s everything that got me there. First, I LOVE this video on intrusive thoughts. This guy is amazing and he breaks down what an OCD brain feels like in such a simple and understandable way: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=laeYq51SYA0 Next, an OCD therapist told me about the book “Freedom from OCD” by Jonathan Grayson. I only met with this therapist twice because the book is what changed everything for me. One of my best friends also has OCD and just telling her parts of the book helped her. Also just a note, I had seen a cognitive behavioral therapist and an art therapist before her and therapy MAY work for you but if, like me, it doesn’t (or you can’t afford it), there are still ways to get yourself out of your OCD prison. Another resource that really helped me (and I still use when I feel OCD trying to push through) is the GGOCD app. It’s so easy and seems like no work at all but will literally change the thoughts in your head or at least give you the power to change them. There is a general GGOCD app and then a specific GGRO app for relationship OCD. I used both daily for only a couple of days before I started noticing changes in my thinking. OCD podcasts are also super helpful to learn how multiple people have gotten better because honestly it seems different for everyone. Try “OCD Stories” or “Your Anxiety Toolkit”. I’ve also read only pages of this ebook: https://7c6cb58d-d959-49fd-9965-36a82fbeca9e.filesusr.com/ugd/f87cc1_d1904df30a1d4beba1c0eee6084c257d.pdf but just the description of the concept at the beginning had a big impact on me and my friend with OCD is the one who recommended it and said every word is like “medicine.” You’ll hear from different people that ERP isn’t the only way. It may be the best way for you, but you may find something else that works better. I’ve been learning so much over the last year and I can finally confidently say I’m overcoming my OCD. I got engaged last October and I was worried OCD would ruin it but I just booked my wedding and feel more control each and every day. I can think about pregnancy without a panic attack. I can hear the word cancer without breaking down and I can challenge my brain for the first time I can remember. I tried ERP (self-guided through the book) a few times and I think it helped me in the beginning but then started making me feel like I had to hate a part of myself. That’s just my feelings and you might feel different but for me a podcast from an OCD therapist that actually HAD ocd said he didn’t think ERP was good and actually just works on helping his clients (successfully) stop ruminating by helping them learn to “do nothing”. It’s hard but it’s not impossible, and for a lot of us, I think it’s not even as hard as we are told it is from people or therapists who haven’t experienced it. Wishing you peace, health and happiness ✌️

@Nocd4nicole Thank you so much for posting this! I can’t wait to read that link you posted and watch that YouTube video. I’ll definitely be looking into the book you recommended on here as well☺️

@LuLaBelle95! Yay! I’m so glad you’ll be taking a look at it all and I hope it helps you too! Your motivation is amazing 🙌☺️

@Nocd4nicole Thank you so much for all of this, I will look into all of it! Honestly - I’m very well versed on OCD, and I do often listen to that podcast etc, but I don’t know whether my OCD is necessarily intertwined with my depression. But I will 100% look into all of those, I’ll book mark it. Thank you so much for going out of your way, that is so kind of you❤️

@Lilly Oh gotcha! Yeah mental health can be so messy and confusing. 🤔 I hope any of the new resources can help in some way! Sending healing thoughts!

@Nocd4nicole I’ve already downloaded the app and the ebook!! App has been super helpful so far. I think some people are so hellbent on ERP (which is valid because it’s the most proven and effective treatment out there for OCD) but you can still treat other underlying issues that will illiviate your OCD. I only developed OCD after the pandemic - I know - people have it for their whole lives, but I just didn’t. I notice that when I’m in a happy and healthy space, I don’t have OCD!

@Lilly That’s so great Lilly! 🥳 And I think a lot of people with OCD (even their whole life like me) feel that way too - like when things are good, it’s all good! But when things are bad, it’s all bad 🙁 Interesting you made the point about “treating underlying issues” because even ERP is about getting at the actual underlying fear. You probably know that already lol but yeah I agree there’s other ways to address the fears and handle them without building up immense anxiety to do so. I do yoga and just started meditating too which helps so much. But I suppose it does all depend on personality types and what people are willing and able to do. OCD is definitely not simple haha.

@Nocd4nicole Yeah!! When I say other ‘underlying issues’, I’m just referring to anxiet, etc. ERP does remove most of your OCD, but the first step is to minimise your anxiety so that you can approach ERP in a stable way, as it’s tough. ERP has helped with one of my other themes, but school stopped me from going the full mile - but, it definitely works. But as I say, treating anxiety (be it with medication or other methods) should be a first step for people prior to ERP! That’s all I’m sayinf 💕

@Lilly Totally agree with you!