- Date posted
- 3y
- User type
- NOCD Alumni
- Date posted
- 3y
You can't "stop" ruminating but you can stop participating in it. When you catch yourself off in thought playing it out, trying to figure it out... acknowledge that... like ahh this is ocd I'm going to let these thoughts be here but I'm not participating. Then return to whatever activity it is that you're doing. The thoughts will play, the anxiety will come, let it. Eventually the thoughts will become quiter, anxiety will lessen and you will catch yourself participating more quickly. Also learn how to meditate. Meditation is soo good and helpful and will teach you how to do exactly what I said above. Because you essentially do the same thing when mediating. You focus on your breathing but when you notice yourself paying attention to your thoughts you again focus on your breathing.
- Date posted
- 3y
Thanks Jess. I see what you’re saying on the rumination. I’ll try that acknowledgment. But I get so damned scared of my inability to stop the ruminating, I’ve turned it all into a battle. As I said above, I really struggle with meditation. That’s when my OCD is at its loudest and when my anxiety is at its highest. It’s become a “thing” in itself. I’ll keep plugging away.
- Date posted
- 3y
B would be the more ideal solution in this situation. At times I tend to overthink and realize that I’m overthinking and the more I try to ignore the ruminating the stronger it comes on to me. Just accept and continue to go on with your day and without even noticing it, the ruminating will fade on its own. The only tricky thing is once you realize it faded usually it will latch back on, but just continue to accept it and focus on doing more important things. Even watching a show or talking to a friend or family member tends to help and take off some of the tension you may be feeling. Hope this helps, if you have any more questions feel free to ask.
- Date posted
- 3y
Thank you. It’s constantly trying to lure me in - when I’ve gone for a period of time, usually a minute or so, without noticing it then it comes back with a vengeance. I usually can’t even concentrate on TV or other people as it’s a constant loud presence. Learning to fight it - by not fighting it - is the greatest challenge of my life.
- Date posted
- 3y
I’ve read several books on Buddhism which I’d recommend doing for anyone that faces any sort of anxiety or distress. Basically what it says is most of us spend most of our time in the past or the future while the present slips right by you. Consistency is definitely the biggest key, the little steps you take everyday really do build up and make the biggest difference. Rather than trying to spend most of your time in your mind, try to find strength in vulnerability by accepting the fact at the moment your not at your best and just strive for little improvement day by day. It really helps me to meditate and just focus on something really beautiful and forget that everything else around you exists for a period of time. Another exercise that helped with my thoughts, was commentating every little action I’m doing as I do it. Even though your still talking in your head it drifts away the attention from your thoughts and focuses on properly commentating the actions your performing.
- Date posted
- 3y
B is the best and smartest option.
- Date posted
- 3y
My other compulsion - buying books on Buddhism! Seriously! I have over 60. I find that whenever I try to meditate or be in the present moment or usefully distract myself in any way that is when the OCD is at its loudest and it’s most invasive. I know why - it’s because I *try* when I should be letting go. I guess that’s my ultimate problem. I don’t know how to let things go.
Related posts
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 20w
Hi guys! I’m new to the community and I’ve recently received my OCD diagnosis (tho I’ve known about it since childhood). I’ve been somewhat spiraling lately as I wait for my first ERP session (hooray!) I was just wondering if any of you guys have received ERP for existential OCD and if it was successful? My existential OCD compulsions are more so mental and have been affecting me in the sense of dream/memory flashbacks and giving me a sort of “uncanny” feeling about everything around me. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you❤️
- Date posted
- 19w
so I need to get back into ERP, but it’s so hard to manage these thoughts and learn to deal with them. like I swear my mind has to make everything about it. Like every time I clean my room, my mind’s like yup make sure it’s clean so when your parents find you, or something so stupid like if I get a headache, my mind convinces me that I like the pain and that that’s why I get my thoughts because I actually want to do it. It’s so exhausting. Because I know I would never want to take my life and I treasure my life so why does it do it to me? It’s hard to comprehend the fact of these thoughts too because I don’t know many people with this exact theme. It’s such a scary feeling. And I’m constantly questioning whether I have actual depression or if it’s just my OCD. Yes I have been diagnosed with suicidal OCD, but my mind still tries to convince me otherwise. I just don’t know how to let these just sit and pass without panicking.
- Date posted
- 19w
My OCD has been terrible the for the past two weeks. I have a fear that I will never be able to get out of the thought loop. I am hyper aware of my thoughts and it disturbs me. I haven’t been able to eat for 10 days. I force myself. I haven’t been able to sleep for more than a couple hours. Then I wake up and ruminate for a couple hours, until I’m exhausted. I’m also afraid I’ll never sleep well again. And I’m afraid I’ll never eat and enjoy my food again. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to stop thinking about this enough to enjoy my family ever again.
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