- Username
- Anonymous
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I’m 22 and this all started a few months back as a result of chronic stress from the pandemic. Meds can be helpful but they’re not the end-all solution, and for some people they don’t work at all. I tried Lexapro and it was awful. But, to address the question of whether your brain will be like this forever — not necessarily. While medications alter brain chemistry, so can lifestyle changes, meditation, exercise, and therapy. ERP and CBT are considered the golden treatment for OCD because it alters the brain and remisses symptoms. I have personally had symptom reduction simply from living healthier and getting more exercise.
Your situation is very similar to mine. August 5 last year I came across something very disturbing online and that initiated this whole madness. I’m also 25.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this too. You’re not alone!
I remember the exact day and moment my brain turned on me too. I genuinely thought I was going crazy. I was terrified. I’ve had tons of ups and downs since then. It’s been about a year and a half and still, every time I have a couple days that are amazing and I think I’m finally starting to get better, it’s followed by weeks of horrendous OCD episodes. I just started talking to a therapist and I’m already feeling more hopeful. I haven’t started my ERP yet, but just finally getting these thoughts off my chest to a real person and knowing that other people understand, made me feel a little bit better. Therapy is expensive af unfortunately. My insurance doesn’t work with NOCD and to see an OCD specialist in my area, the wait is months. No one is accepting new patients. I’m on a payment plan with NOCD right now. It’s still more than what I’d like to pay and more than what you should have to pay for mental health services, but it’s worth it. Maybe look into that.
That’s how mine has been too, many ups and downs but way more downs.. Mine is more “pure o” where I just have the thoughts and my compulsions are mental.. I have suicide themed OCD and it’s a living hell
That’s honestly so crazy. It happened to me like that too. One little thought one night and then BAM. It’s weird how that works.
That’s what happened to me too! I had a graphic image pop up in my head one night that freaked me out and spent all night laying awake and even throwing up because I was so scared that I got sick. I just kept thinking “somethings wrong me. What I just pictured in my head isn’t normal. Why did I just think about that?” And now it’s 3 years later and I’m still trying to come to terms with OCD 😂 wild how it can just come completely out of nowhere
Meds arent bad, they can be your friend when things are.topsy turvy. Before they work. Gotta give them at least 2 mos., then after a few months, and you feel under control, with a Dr's help, you can wean off. .. Also research homeopathic SSRI and see what it comes up with. Allot of health food stores , with help, can recommend supplements too. Good luck! You'll be fine.
Thank you. I’m just like is my brain gonna always be in this state? Am I ever gonna feel even slightly “normal” again? I know I can’t get rid of it but man this is tough. It’s been almost a year now that I’ve been having this certain theme.
I am 25 too and mine came on almost exactly a year ago!
This is exactly me! Though I tried antidepressants 2 years before for GAD and depression ! Therapy is doing wonders
What kind of therapy are you doing?
@Anonymous Erp with nocd, I did CBT (before someone attacks me I know CBT us an umbrella). It didn’t do much of anything. 6 weeks after erp I noticed a massive difference
I was also 25 last year when this all started! I also remember the exact date! Mine started almost overnight, too! I think my OCD was brought on by a concussion. You are not alone, and this will not last forever.
Thank you, I’m trying so hard to keep going
@Anonymous Me too. Some days all we can do is survive, and that’s ok. If all you did today is survive, that is ok. Because tomorrow you might be able to do a little more, live a little more, feel a little better. Surviving today means getting to see that tomorrow.
I just had my first apt with my therapist. This came on very suddenly, almost overnight, for me and it’s causing me so much distress. I have been reading and I know that the brain sends thoughts the more you try to resist them. But I’m scared. I’m 46 and I never knew I had OCD tendencies and this literally happened overnight and now the harm thoughts are constant, all day, every day, and I feel like I’m going crazy. My life has been turned upside down. Does anyone else have the harm thoughts that are constant and involve many things/people?
I am 36 years old with no history of mental illness. I had a stressful event at work about 6 months ago and slowly started getting intrusive thoughts about harming myself or my kids, but am at a point where it’s all I can think about. I was diagnosed with OCD officially this week. I’m distraught and finding it hard to cope since. I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before. I just started ERP therapy. I am hoping it helps but am terrified that it won’t. I just want my old self back! Please, if there is anyone out there who has gone through a similar situation, what helped you continue to function? Will I get to a point that I can function without being tormented by my thoughts?
I had never really had OCD symptoms like this a few months ago. I had struggled a little bit with anxiety and had always had a fear of uncertainty but I’ve never felt a 24/7 pain anxiety, guilt and fear like this. I was pretty happy😭 Have others had this experience as well? Did it just show up randomly from one intrusive thought that you couldn’t brush off? Is it possible to get back to how you were before or will I have to “manage” for the rest of my life?
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