- Date posted
- 4y
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
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!
- Date posted
- 4y
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. ❤
- Date posted
- 4y
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!”
- Date posted
- 4y
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!
- Date posted
- 4y
At this moment take pictures to remind you when you get back. Tell ocd it can’t take this moments from you. Have fun🤗
- Date posted
- 4y
thank you all for being so sweet! currently trying my best to have fun, even if anxiety is present! :)
- Date posted
- 4y
Use vacation as an oportubity to practice just noticing your thoughts and not arguing with them or pushing them away.
- Date posted
- 4y
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 :)
- Date posted
- 4y
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. 💛
- Date posted
- 4y
awe this is very helpful! i know, vacationing really takes me out of my comfort zone! thank you so much commenting 💛
Related posts
- Date posted
- 25w
i’m in college and on my summer break now. i don’t have a job yet or much to occupy myself with and im finding it really difficult to keep my ocd under control. if i have nothing to do, i find myself sitting around and ruminating heavily and getting severely anxious and my thoughts just keep wandering. i don’t really feel peace of mind unless im with my boyfriend or my best friend, both of which i don’t get to see often because they’re very busy or live far away. im not sure how to keep myself busy and how to occupy my brain with something other than worries :(
- Date posted
- 25w
i feel the need to say sorry because i’m posting yet again. i’m having a REALLY DIFFICULT episode of ocd that i haven’t had for a few months now. i experience contamination ocd everyday and have constant anxiety attacks, however because that’s so normal to me and doesn’t affect anyone but myself, it doesn’t affect me in the same way harm ocd does. i haven’t had to deal with really bad harm ocd thoughts for a good bit now so i’m struggling so bad right now. if anyone has seen my previous posts (which i’m sure you have), this came about over a small change that happened a couple weeks ago. it’s now blossoming into a full episode. it’s making me feel paralyzed and not want to do anything, but i know in the past i had to force myself to distract myself by actually doing things. i’m supposed to hang out with my friend tomorrow, but i’m so close to cancelling because i feel like i can’t do it. my physical symptoms are also worse than what i feel like i’m used to and it’s terrifying me into thinking i’m gonna get sick. i just don’t know how to get through it. it feels like impending doom and constant panic. i just want to feel like myself again and happy
- Date posted
- 24w
i’ve just been feeling so off lately. i’m okay right now, but a couple hours ago i was in this mood where i felt anxiety creeping up. like i will feel like there’s danger when there isn’t. i just get this really uncomfortable feeling that something feels wrong even when it isn’t. and i’ve been feeling derealization/depersonalization. just really disconnected from myself and the world. i’ve also been unmotivated to where there are times when the thought of doing things upsets me. and i’ve been having existential thoughts that do not mesh well with harm ocd. i get the thought “if people aren’t real then it’s okay to hurt them”. it sucks because there are times where i just don’t even care to ruminate and find reassurance that that’s not the case. furthermore, i’ve just been really aware of my existence. i will get moments where i’m so aware of my existence and it freaks me out. like the fact that i’m a living human being is crazy to me. then there are times when i’m not even anxious about anything which then has me questioning and ruminating on that because i ALWAYS have something i’m worrying about. i’ve also been feeling really nostalgic and bittersweet of the good memories from the past. i keep thinking about good times i’ve had and really wishing i could relive it. for example, last summer was a pretty good summer even with my ocd. and i just wish i could relive some of those moments, but i obviously can’t. and it’s been upsetting me because this month has been shitty with my anxiety. as for an update with my room change to those of you curious, i still have anxiety over it and my mom is taking it as me being ungrateful with what i have when it’s my ocd making a huge deal of it. that upsets me especially since i’ve told her what’s been going on and she was really understanding of it. anyways, life has just been a bit much and i’ve been dealing with more to my anxiety that i don’t appreciate. while worrying about constantly throwing up with my contamination ocd is incredibly exhausting, it’s so normal to me that i’m used to it. but when my harm ocd kicks in along with other themes that aren’t usually common for me, i freak out and feel like i’m going insane. i genuinely wonder how people have dealt with taboo topics of ocd without treatment for years on end. i’ve had harm intrusive thoughts since i was little, but it didn’t get to any extreme until 2023. i feel like i’m drowning in it when it decides to hit me and the thought of having to deal with it for the rest of my life?? i’m scared something in me will flip and i’ll become what my thoughts are telling me i am. i apologize for the mixed thoughts that are all over the place but i feel safe posting on here about it and want to hear how y’all are doing
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