- Username
- Anna
- Date posted
- 3y ago
A change in routine does this to me too. I have learned to keep going and use ERP. Have a great vacation. You deserve it!
I'm sorry that's happening during what's supposed to be a fun and carefree time. I agree that a change in routine can trigger some "stuff." Hoping you are able to let some of that stress go and enjoy your time off. ❤
Hey something that helps with my ocd is noticing how it is trying to take away things I enjoy. When you can notice that you can then say, “no! You will not take this from me. I value this!”
Hey Anna. Maybe this going on vacation had you on edge with anxiety. This leads me to depression. Try to appreciate the beauty of where u are and the time u have for yrself. Exercise with breathing. And remember you worked hard for this moment. Enjoy!
At this moment take pictures to remind you when you get back. Tell ocd it can’t take this moments from you. Have fun🤗
thank you all for being so sweet! currently trying my best to have fun, even if anxiety is present! :)
Use vacation as an oportubity to practice just noticing your thoughts and not arguing with them or pushing them away.
I hope you’re enjoying most parts of ur vacation ! I know it could be hard- having a change of scenery and routine so that might be what’s triggering your deprsssion/ocd. But I also want to remind you not to feel guilty or pressured to push yourself into doing things that aren’t good for ur mental health in the moment just because “ur on vacation”. Ur mental health is more important and u should do what u gotta do- even if it’s sitting in the hotel room and listening to music all day. Focus on what will heal you in the moment. But please stay strong you’re doing amazing we’re all here for you and be kind to yourself please :)
I am going on vacation in a few weeks and I am terrified that I will have the same problem! I think that we both need to not put so much pressure on how we feel during the vacation. It’s ok to not be 100%. You aren’t wasting your time and vacation just because you aren’t constantly enjoying yourself. Sometimes with ocd, it’s better to just allow yourself to feel whatever comes naturally instead of forcing happiness. I would suggest using mindfulness. Basically, try to catch every time you are drifting from the present moment because of an intrusive thought or rumination, label it (don’t beat yourself up about it), then return to the present and refocus on your surroundings. It may be tedious at first but usually the intervals become longer and you can enjoy more of the present moment. You can also catch the obsession or compulsion when you notice it, tell yourself “nope it’s not time to do this now, I will come back to this after my vacation “. Again, this may be hard at first but it gets easier. I am sorry I can’t give you more help because your comments have definitely helped me in the past. 💛
awe this is very helpful! i know, vacationing really takes me out of my comfort zone! thank you so much commenting 💛
Hey all! I just joined this app and wanted to ask for your thoughts and encouragement on something I’ve been experiencing lately. (*long post ahead*) I’ve had an OCD diagnosis for about 2 years now, along with generalized anxiety, depersonalization symptoms, and depression diagnoses since my teens (I’m 24). Been lucky to have great family and healthcare that have helped me get out of some very dark places. I’m currently on a very high dose of Prozac, a smaller dose of Wellbutrin, and have been in therapy pretty consistently since my late teens. Life is pretty good....I’m in grad school and am doing well socially and academically. I am moving out to another part of the country to do an internship for 10 weeks, starting this Friday. But with all of this great and wonderful stuff in life, I have definitely noticed my OCD getting worse, despite my meds and self care. I’ve been having more obsessive fears and doing the rituals and compulsions to soothe those fears. It’s taking up much more of my mental space than it had for the past 2 years or so. I think part of it is the big change of moving to a new place temporarily, finishing my first year of grad school, and going from being insanely busy to having a month of downtime that is just now wrapping up. I’m getting scared that things are going to get really bad again — so far I’ve been managing with mindfulness and acceptance, and reading up on tactics for managing intrusive thoughts and accompanying compulsions. But I am so afraid that things will get to be into the dark and horrible place they were in 2 years ago. My OCD has been really mild the past few years, since I started the meds, and to feel it flare up again is really REALLY distressing. It makes me scared that the meds aren’t working, or that all the thoughts and fears are real. I know this isn’t the truth, logically, but my OCD and anxiety are running with it. I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced this (change-related flare ups and the fears accompanied by them) and has tools to manage relapse or flare ups. Thanks in advance :) :)
i’m going on a 2 week mission trip in july and i’m so scared about how i’m gonna do without any electronics or anything (we aren’t allowed to bring any devices). my worst anxiety episodes happen when i’m free of distraction (like in bed or something) and i’m just so afraid that i’m gonna be really anxious throughout the whole trip. usually whenever i get anxious i try my best to sit in it and expose myself to it and NOT do compulsions, but once it has kind of subsided and i’m feeling better, i go on this app or something to kind of “cool down” i guess. does that make any sense lol. anyway, i’m just worried that bc it’s just going to be me and my thoughts for 2 weeks, i’ll have so many anxious thoughts and i won’t have anywhere or anyone to talk to about it (like i do here)—which i’m worried will make it worse. i don’t even know what i’m asking right now,,, i just don’t want my trip to be ruined or me not getting the most out of it because of my thoughts and anxiety. so i guess i’m asking if you have any advice or insights?? anything will help :))
Hi I’m currently suppressing the urge to vomit and hide in some hole and never come out 😃😃 so, I’m traveling technically today since it’s 1am right now, and I have to go on an airplane, and it’s not even just the airplane that triggers my ocd, it’s the airport itself, it’s so official and security stuff scares me bc like, theres a reason they have security. I’m really tempted to start googling “how likely is it for a plane to crash” or “how to survive a plane crash” and the urge to tell my dad that I love him and to take care of my pets if I don’t come back. Why is my mind like this. Wtf. I want to enjoy my vacation, I also don’t want to have a panic attack in an airport, which has happened before lol. I’m traveling with my mom and my sister, my mom understands ocd and has some knowledge on how to handle it, my sister does not at all. How do I calm myself without it being a compulsion?? I mean, is it okay if I calm myself with prescribed medication and like trying to tune everything out, or is that feeding into the ocd? Because my usual compulsions would be to repeat “it’s okay it’s okay it’s okay” over and over again in my head, and “I’m safe I’m safe I’m safe, nothing is going to happen” and I try not to do that anymore, or just simply not go because of the fear, BUT I’m going because I’m not gonna let ocd take away anymore of my life. I’m just scared and I don’t really know how to cope with this, any advice?
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