- Date posted
- 4y ago
- Date posted
- 4y ago
Hey Ashley, I can imagine how frustrated and stressed you are, so please know that you are seen and heard by me❤️ When I developed my anxiety disorder, I went from tolerating coffee fine, to ‘completely not’ being able to! You are not a failure for not being able to handle coffee at the moment!! Don’t punish your body for feeling what it feels. If you are already experiencing issues with anxiety, caffeine is a stimulant, and will excacerbate anything that is related to energy (anxiety). When I drank coffee at the peak of my anxiety disorder, it would give me a delayed (&severe) panic attack about 4-5 hours after drinking. There are so many different reasons why this may have happened - and whether our reasons align, I’m not sure, but I can only assume they do considering we both have OCD and seem to have had the same problem. My advice is work on getting your anxiety under control, however that may look for you. This may take a while, so please don’t rush. I didn’t drink coffee for about 5 months, and then I got my anxiety under control, and I drink multiple cups a day and I’m fine now. Of course, I’m not sure you actually want to drink coffee - so if you don’t, tea is a good trade off With the Easter situation you’re talking about, my therapist always told me to NEVER avoid a situation in fear of a panic. This is a hard pill to swallow, but please heed this advice - please. You don’t know how much you’re missing when you avoid something. Leaning into fear is actually you’re ticket to peace - funnily enough. Go for Easter, I don’t know you, but if you do I will be proud of you just knowing. Do Not Let OCD Rule You Ever.
- Date posted
- 4y ago
Thank you. This means a lot I know I should go
- User type
- NOCD Alumni
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I loved coffee but totally agree about the caffeine. Haven't had coffee in about a yr and a half. As far as Easter... you know what you need to do? You need to go! Your anxiety and OCD is giving you those thoughts. They are just thoughts! What if you go and have a great time and everyone else does too because you were there? You could try a script ERP before you go to help reduce some of the anxiety before.... like I may or may not have a panic attack at my family Easter gathering. I accept that uncertainty and I choose to go anyways. Do you already do ERP? If so, you know that saying that script and feeling your anxiety rise and then decrease by at least half before stopping will help you and that is how you get better, you don't get better by avoiding things because of a thought. Good luck to you. And go enjoy your family!
- Date posted
- 4y ago
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I feel this I’m worried coffee is like a drug for me because I feel differently
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y ago
Have you tried decaf coffee? I mean it’s not 100% the same but it does the trick and the best thing is that it doesn’t contain the caffeine that makes you feel anxious. I switched to that a while ago and I’m pretty calm. As far as Easter! I agree with Jess, just go and don’t avoid anything! Show yourself that you’re capable of having a good time!
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