Hi everyone, I just wanted to give my view on this illness. I've had ocd since I was 5 or 6 years old. I'm 55 now and in all those years I've been through most of the common themes, I hear people talking about on this app and through other resources. I know many people feel, "my ocd is not the same as others" and that is true in a way, as it adapts to finding the things we fear most and as a result is terrifying to each of us. The one truth I can say at this point, is that we cannot think our way out of our obsessions......the content is not the real issue, the ocd is. In the midst of an obsession I know it feels as though we have to just resolve this, to get back to our lives, but after all this time and years of despair I now know looking back that trying to reason my way out of any of those obsessions was a mistake that kept me on the ocd hamster wheel. We need to take a leap of faith and take on our fears, head on, through cbt/erp with a good therapist, that understands this illness. Dont be afraid to discuss the obsessions, they will understand, you are a good person, that is suffering and will want to help. I would plead with everyone that is suffering now to take that leap and stay determined to follow that path. Love to you all......

Thank you so much ❤️

Thank you!!!

Aw thank you. Have you just done erp or do you or have you tried meds?

Kls2121 , I believe most of the ssri drugs can be prescribed by your GP, to treat ocd, mine was setraline, ( hope I'm allowed say that) but I cant emphasise enough, that erp was the big game changer for me. You can get to a point, where it wont really matter how bad the thoughts get, because you will have the tools to handle any of them. Its about fighting the ocd not the thoughts, trust me on this. It doesnt change your morals, you still hate the thoughts but you'll no longer fear them or feel they reflect the real you and in my experience they start to fade away as you no longer feel threatened by them. I hope that makes some sense, its hard to explain until you learn the benefits of erp for yourself. But stick with it and it starts to feel like the real you, is emerging again.

I've tried both. I found the meds helped a little bit, while I got used to the erp. But really the erp for me, was by far the most effective although it took a while to really get into the mindset of facing instead of trying to escape the intrusive thoughts/ obsessions.

You could try a therapist on this app Kls2121 ?

I am still on them but plan to gradually come off them over the next two or three months

Kls2121 its free to see a therapist on this app

You really should, its free, they are highly trained, you can tell them anything, they wont be judgemental, they are there to help people, with this illness.

Well sorry my mistake, but at least talk to them, it sounds like they will suit the cost to each person, just ring and see what they can do. Even if you can pay a minimum it will be the best money you've ever spent

I have a 30$ co pay each time for my therapist... do you have health insurance?

I have a high deductible too that I haven’t met yet. But my co pays are still only 30$ with the plan I have. Maybe call in and see if they coordinate with yours and what the amount of co pay it would be