- Username
- Jayjayg9494
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Thank you for the suggestion, I already follow awaken into love. I used to journal when my intrusive & negative thoughts first began, but I think that became a part of my compulsion. Writing everything down to feel better, only to have it not work longer term. I’m trying to learn to not to give into the compulsions of watching YouTube & listening to content for reassurance purposes, it can be really really hard to find the balance between education & reassurance.
Oh yes same for me. I stopped watching YouTube for this reason, as it turned into reassurance seeking for me. As well as Journaling. I almost finished a while journal in a few days. Which wasn't healthy.
@k-low This is good to know! I try to only watch YouTube when I’m not like obsessive and anxious, but I definitely am guilty of journaling sometimes to find relief. I’m so guilty of finishing journals extremely fast.
I’ve been trying to get therapy for a year and a half now for other unrelated issues. When I spoke with my doctor yesterday they explained that whilst your on the wait list for 1 type of therapy, you can’t self refer for a different service (this is UK applicable only). Private healthcare is pretty expensive not really an Avenue I can afford atm the moment, but the NHS (our national health service) is very very over subscribed and so accessing therapy isn’t always very easy.
I live in the UK and I never even tried it with the NHS. I just went straight to nocd. I started with free counseling from my university. But nocd has been the most helpful. Why don't you try that?
Because NOCD whilst a great resource is also pretty pricey, when I spoke with an advisor and I was told £45 a session I knew I couldn’t manage that at the moment. I have just gotten a new job with a significant payrise, so I am gonna look into private options again.
Yeah I know it's not cheap. But I spaced out my appointments and so it was more manageable. I don't know your financial situation. But for me I thought getting my mental health sorted was the most important thing of everything and I was willing to work more and harder just to pay it. If you only book one session a week in the beginning its around 100 pounds per week and after that around 60 per week
I appreciate the comment, but that is pretty expensive for me per week. but that doesn’t mean I don’t value my mental health above all us. As someone who’s just graduated & was made redundant it’s just not been financially feasible. I’m sure it wasn’t your intention, but it did come across a little judgemental. I am looking into a variety of potentially affordable options now that I’ve secured a grad job, I wish you lots of luck on your journey. 😊
Oh noo I'm so sorry that wasn't my intention at all 😱😞 In my area there is a self referral scheme (steps To Wellbeing) where you can self refer to counslers and someone contacted me fairly quickly (3 weeks or so). Maybe they have that in your area as well? I wish you the best and hope that you can find someone to help you! But until that happens I think YouTube can be very helpful! There's a Chanel called OCD and anxiety which was extremely helpful 😊 x
Ahhh that’s a trigger for me too! Like going home from vacations with him, it’s always really hard and I’m like damn if we lived together this wouldn’t happen. When really like I need to handle my own before we take things there haha. Journaling is a big help for me! And asking myself what am I feeling? What do I want to feel? How can I feel that way?…Meditation like you’re already doing! Awaken into love channel on YouTube too
Are you in therapy for ocd? I think those fears will become way easier the more you learn and progress. I think having some goals or things to do can be really helpful to keep your mind occupied. Maybe take up some kind of sport that kepps you motivated?
Oh no completely understand, I think I’m just in a heightened sense of sensitivity because anxiety is kicking my ass 🥺 thank you so much for the advice and kindness I’ll definitely look into all of the advice you’ve given honestly been so helpful. xx
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 :) :)
Being stuck at home due to coronavirus has made my ruminating and intrusive thoughts significantly worse. Anyone else dealing with this and have tips? It’s also hard that I don’t have therapy to look forward to for help. I struggle with relationship OCD and it’s so hard especially since my partner is stuck at home in a different state and I have a lot of time at home to just think:(
I suffered for a really long time (approx 2 years) with Real Event/False Memory ROCD. This led to a long period of chronic guilt, rumination, mental review and confessing. I sought help last year and finally realised I had OCD (hurrah) and wasn’t totally losing my mind. I felt as though I was (prior to diagnosis) when I told my therapist… “no matter what, I’m having the same thought over and over and every time I think I’ve found a way out of it, it comes back”. I felt really suicidal and could not see my way out of it for a while. I found a lot of help online with Instagram which led me to finding NOCD and a number of their therapists. I actually started NOCD therapy last year and was finally ridding myself of these horrible shackles and seeing that my life didn’t have to be defined by memories, mistakes and fears. However, unfortunately I fell ill and a number of life changing events happened (lost a beloved pet, was in and out of hospital, my stepdad became seriously ill and hospitalised) so I gave up therapy for the time being. Since, I’ve found myself distracted from my fears, I suppose I had a new theme to focus on (my health), I’d not realised it had become compulsive but I suppose it had. Anyway, it’s been a few months and I am still unwell but finding a way around it. I also have some great news in my life, I found out I’m pregnant and am beginning a new chapter in my life and am adapting to the changes and fears that come with that. Unfortunately 2 days ago I was floored by my old obsessions, back with vengeance with none of my old tools able to help again. I’m catching myself ruminating, I am noticing old patterns of mental review returning, here I am with that gut wrenching fear in my stomach constantly and words on my tongue ready to confess to things I may or may not have done (who knows!?). I feel so unprepared for this return of old fears… I thought I’d done well and almost become un-fearful again? I’m not sure where to go from here, I’ve enquired about some ERP again and am taking those steps. I’ve grabbed my old OCD books and am ready to remind myself to step out of those cycles. But I can’t help but feel devastated that the same old scary patterns have grabbed me again. Anyone have any top tips for coping in the meantime whilst arranging some ERP again 🪴
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