Has anyone with harm OCD ever gotten stuck on a particular date? As if something will happen on this date relating to self-harm? Please advise.

Wow! Sounds like we have something in common! Although this date is years away, it definitely won’t leave me alone.. Although I know it’s OCD and know what OCD is, I feel as once I get over/through this date, I can beat anything OCD related.

@jsnod28 I don’t attach my number to any specific month, if i notice it’s coming up in whatever month i’m in - it causes me distress. Ive practiced writing the number, repeating it my head, adding it to numbers i see on houses and so forth. OCD is a huge pest, but honestly it’s taught me to live in the present. Which is better said than done, but I promise, it’ll help a bit!

@Maban Thank you for your story. This date for me involves the passing of a family member by self harm. But no matter how I tried to change it, it has just stuck! I’m open to remaining in contact as well!

@jsnod28 i’m so sorry! that’s so hard. ocd and this type especially, it’s so HARD. it’s an every day battle, but it’s possible to live a life where you aren’t bothered by your thoughts!

Yes. Same date, but in the past.

@jsnod28 ☹️ I’m so sorry! That makes total sense to me that your OCD is attaching meaning to that date. I had a suicide attempt in 2013 and the anniversary was really hard for the first few years. It’s traumatizing and scary and it’s not your fault, self harm happens when you are in a really bad mental state. You have every right to be nervous and even fearful of that anniversary. The anniversary effect is a common issue people with trauma and PTSD deal with. Try to be kind to yourself. Your distress is valid and you deserve to feel safe and comforted when this date comes. We can’t control when we will have a bad mental health day, or what makes us anxious, we can only do what we can to take care of the things we CAN take care of. You won’t hurt yourself on that day just because it’s that day. You have other ways to cope with that pain and distress now. Treat yourself to your favorite foods, drink lots and lots of water, and plan things for that day to distract you and make you feel safe and happy. Self harm is a way to cope with unbearable pain, and I know you can keep yourself safe if you remember there are better ways to attend to that pain

@booba Thank you so much for the response. I also have PTSD and am a combat vet.

@jsnod28 No problem my friend! ❤️ that definitely sounds like the anniversary effect. It’s just how our brains work I guess. The change of seasons messes with those of us with PTSD really badly because of that. Different eras of trauma memories get closer to the surface because the environment feels like it did when the trauma happened. Do whatever you need to do to keep yourself safe! If you feel like you can’t do it alone (sometimes I definitely can’t) i would absolutely reach out to people you can trust. You don’t have to give details if you don’t want to. “This date is coming up soon and it’s the anniversary of a really hard day for me. Can you hang out with me that day and keep my mind off of it?” Would be great for a friend you don’t necessarily want to go into details with. If you’re in danger, definitely go to the hospital. Reach out to veterans affairs for sure. There’s a lot of good resources for veterans to get treatment for ptsd. Lots of service dog programs train dogs for free for veterans! 😊 don’t be afraid to reach out to the people who care about you & let them know what’s going on. You can do this!

@booba Thank you very much!! I do like the friend piece of advise.

I’ve been doing alright I guess. You?

Hope all is well!!✌🏻

@jsnod28 All is very well!! Really. How are you???

@Maban I’ve been doing a lot better!!