Does anyone have somatic OCD specific to breathing? Sounds crazy, but whenever i get in bed these days I cant help but start focusing on my breathing (because, diabolically, I know it makes it difficult to breathe). It’ll then become impossible for me to sleep, my breathing will be irregular, and I cant get my mind off it unless I become super busy. Has anyone found any solutions to this problem, between therapy, medication, etc? I exercise/otherwise take care of my health, but have had this problem the last 8 years and its getting more and more debilitating I dont want keeping busy to be the only solution- I want to be able to relax and not be plagued with the thought of breathing Thanks

Somatic OCD

CMM

Date posted: 3y ago

Ughh I struggle with this from time to time. Focusing and doing breathing exercises sometimes make it worse for me. The only relaxation breathing that helps me in alternative nostril breathing. I also have found that just reminding myself that our bodies naturally know how to breathe and how to swallow so when we force these natural things that our bodies already know how to do it won't feel normal. Hang in there!💜

Vct8414

Date posted: 3y ago

Yes, struggling with this right now. Its been going on for a week now and it started off really difficult but Ive progressively gotten somewhat better by meditation, letting the thought come in and acknowleding it but trying not to act on it, and spending time with people. Its worse when Im alone and have nothing to focus on. Have you had any success? I sympathize with you and pray we get better soon 💜

Blah blah

Date posted: 3y ago

Hey I have somatic ocd too...it’s tough and I am just beginning therapy so I don’t have the best advice other than working with someone. Do you engage in compulsive behaviors to try to stop noticing the breathing? Just curious. They say the therapy will help you not be bothered by these bodily things like breathing. My somatic ocd manifests itself a little differently and isn’t specifically a breathing obsession, but I obsess over a lot ofbodily sensations so I empathize with your situation 🙏

Halima 🧕🏼

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y ago

Are you still experiencing this?

Mohaaa!

Date posted: 3y ago

Hi Haych, do u have this?

sbrakowitz

Date posted: 23w ago

Sleepless in Sleep Anxiety

Hi everyone! I’m not sure if anyone has had any issues with sleep and anxiety but these past couple of weeks I’ve been suffering with anxiety when trying to sleep. My mind will latch on to the idea that I won’t sleep and I’ll continuously try to fall asleep and end up psychoanalyzing everything im doing . Usually I end up freaking out and not sleeping and waking up with maybe >2 hrs a sleep a night and have an awful day the next day. I’m lowkey hopeless in this situation, I’ve tried melatonin, sleeping early, limited screen time and nothing will work.. does anyone have any tips and tricks on what to do?

Holly223

Date posted: 8w ago

Harm ocd Advice

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with intrusive thoughts&images. At first i had intrusive thoughts around my partner, now it’s centred around me & I can’t be around window ledges or medication due to a story I read online(it’s too triggering for me) . Sometimes I feel like I can’t leave my bed due to the thoughts being so overwhelming I just break down and want to sleep. I aren’t taking any medication or therapy yet. I worry that if I don’t give my thoughts a reaction that my thoughts are true and not OCD. I’ve had these thoughts 24/7 for 2 months.

Harm OCD

Ellen_l

Date posted: 8w ago

Advice?

I’m having a big OCD relapse and would like to hear anyone’s tips on how to be present and healthily deal with these intrusive thoughts and the “need” to preform compulsions. Thank you!!

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