- Username
- Andrew06
- Date posted
- 5y ago
I agree these are tough, especially when you feel you have a rational reason behind it! The most effective way is to at some point get so fed up and angry at the OCD or doubt or whatever it is that you just accept the uncertainty. You can start small, use a ton of self compassion in your journey. We must walk through the fire only to turn around and realize there was never any danger in the first place!
How did you cope with rational (albeit catastrophised) anxieties intermingling with OCD? For example I've always had contamination OCD, but a few years ago I was misdiagnosed for a physical illness and ended up with permanent irreversible health problems as a result. I now suffer a lot of anxiety about my personal safety out of fear of getting injured or sick and having the same thing happen. So there's a reasonable cause to an extent, but that anxiety is now tightly woven with my contamination OCD and any time I make strides with ERP, the other anxiety undoes it again
How did you start to accept uncertainty? I am finding this so hard, and almost avoiding the topic altogether. I am terrified about the outcome. Some background is that I have rocd and I guess I'm scared once I accept uncertainty the thoughts and feelings might be true and I'm struggling to overcome this. Any help would be massively appreciated as I want to start my road to recovery asap but fear I can't
You’ll have to at some point decide for yourself you are so goddamn sick of this garbage disorder that you are motivated and willing to overcome it
In the same token, be very forgiving and kind to yourself! Having this crap is hard enough and we often put ourselves down without even realizing it!
I am fed up with it. I want to overcome it with all my being, I just am still so scared. But yeah you're right I think it's hard to be kind to ourselves
If you’ve tried everything else, try to accept the fear! You’re not in this alone, I know how hard it is because I still struggle but Exposure work has helped! You can do it!!
Thank you (: I will give it a go!
As some of you guys probably know, if I’ve been leaving annoyingly chirpy comments on your posts (?) I’m a huge believer in ERP. It works consistently with my OCD when nothing else has, its pulled me out of some dark places, etc etc. But I also see a lot of posts asking a heap of different questions about it. I totally get your frustrations and confusion. It was easier for me, in a way, because I was so hopeless when I discovered it I went, “if this doesn’t work, I’m just gonna give up an end it.” It was my last resort so I guess that helped in a way, but it did work. It really did. So where I’m going with this is, If anyone has any questions about ERP, dump them here in the comments and I’ll answer them as soon as I can. All questions, any questions, throw them at me. I want to help, I know what you’re going through and as an obsessively good researcher (even before my OCD kicked in) I have a tonne of different explanations on how it works, why it works, how it feels, and so on and so on and so on. Honestly, I just wanna be useful. I wanna help. Being able to help people through this stuff makes my OCD a teensy bit worthwhile. Give me your best shot :)
Let me know if you need help/advice with anything! I’m willing to help with anything u can, I’ve had OCD on going on 7 years, I’ve been to counseling, I’ve been to neurologists, I’ve been stuck in compulsive thoughts/actions, I have irrational thoughts, and I’m here to help anyone who needs it! ?
I’m still in the process of recovering from HOCD but if anyone wants to reach out to me about cognitive behavioral therapy strategies or ERP strategies/ideas I’m here to help- just no reassurance! ;) you are so strong- keep on going! ?
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