Feel like I'm stuck In a trap with my harm OCD, I've just moved in with a friend and now the thoughts are centered on him. Im looking for a new job but I don't know how I'm going to do it as I'm just constantly anxious and bombarded by intrusive thoughts. I don't even know who I am anymore

If you just moved that can cause a lot of anxiety to start with. And waves of anxiety will trigger OCD. So it makes perfect sense that your Harm OCD has spiked. And if your condition is becoming crippling to where you cant work, you can be evaluated and get on disability. While on disability you can get the therapy you need ( find an OCD therapist). I wish I could have taken that route, I was so crippled by my OCD that I could have done this if I'd known what options I had. Because pushing through on your own is possible but very very difficult. Anyway, good luck!

Any big changes makes my OCD spike too... moving, even vacation. It’s like my brain can’t handle the change in routine, but it does calm down eventually. In the meantime, I try to be diligent with my ERP. However bad my current obsession is, I know it would be something else if it wasn’t this one. That thought seems to help me be able to do the ERP.

Can you get to a psychologist or psychiatrist? Even just going once for a proper diagnosis and some advice on treatment options would be so worth it. https://iocdf.org/find-help/ After that, if finances are a concern, there are a lot of self help books out there. I know Jon Hershfield has a new one about Harm OCD out. Medication did not do much for me either, but I’ve read that it’s not always effective for OCD on its own and should really just be used as water wings to be able to do the ERP anyways.

I’m so sorry you are feeling like this! Know that so many of us have been there and things can get better. There are a lot of success stories out there. Don’t give up!

Also when looking for a new therapist, I would recommend confirming they know and do ERP. Hang in there!

I've been stuck on harm OCD for 8 years. I feel like a monster. The anxiety is just unbearable, I can't find any medicines that work and I have no idea how to do ERP. I don't even know if it is OCD anymore, I was diagnosed many years ago but I said to the doctor first that I thought it was OCD and he agreed. I feel like the thoughts are mine. It's just unbearable

I've seen a phychiartrist and 2 therapists. They all say OCD mixed with major depression. I've just moved and I need to find a new therapist and phychiartrist. I'm just really struggling and it all feels so real

It's an absolute monster of a condition. It makes me feel so miserable. Thanks to both of you

It sure is! I hate it too! It’s a big bully we have to fight every day. But we can do it ☺️

Do you get a gloomy feeling like a feeling of dread as well as the intrusive thoughts and anxiety?

Yes, I feel exactly like that sometimes. Unfortunately depression and ocd often come together. I think all the all the ruminating eventually wears out our minds and bodies and leaves us in a depressed state. Medication may help lift this a bit. And working on the OCD is the answer. Until then, exercise (especially outdoors) and time with friends can help a bit. It’s often the last things I feel like doing, but I make myself and it does help.