- Date posted
- 3y
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
Nothing specific really. Just whatever is going on in your life at the moment. Just being in the present.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
Carrying on with your life essentially
- Date posted
- 3y
I don’t really have anything to do, if I do something that makes my anxiety lessen like playing a video game is that a compulsion?
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@PinkLotus I can’t really say for sure. It really depends how you’re using it. If you’re doing it because it’s just something enjoyable that you’d like to do, then I think you’re in the clear. But if you’re using it as a way to avoid feeling anxiety or push it away by means of distraction you will find that it doesn’t really work and that can make the anxiety worse. In that case it very well could be a compulsion. If your focus is on “I’m gonna focus on playing some games while feeling anxious” rather than “I’m gonna play so I don’t feel anxious anymore” that’s probably the balance you want to find
- Date posted
- 3y
@PinkLotus They say to sit with it and allow yourself to feel it so that your brain gets bored.
- Date posted
- 3y
@cheyras I’m gonna clean my drawer then I’m going to play and try to “stay anxious” , I’d want to play even if I wasn’t anxious because the game dropped a huge update and I paid for the dlc so I think I’m okay. Thank you both for helping me out
- Date posted
- 3y
ive been reading about mindfulness and ocd. mindfulness taught me to learn how to sit with feelings and how they manifest physically in my body. when i give these uncomfortable their space by Recognizing, Allowing, Investigating, and Nuturing, i find that its a much more easy going process than if i were to ignore them or ruminate on them. took me a good year or so to get a grasp on it, but tara brach has a bunch of free lectures on the process of RAIN and mindfulness on youtube and spotify that i feel are really relevant to anxiety and ocd. practicing mindfulness has helped me learn how to deal with the discomfort in a healthy and effective way
- Date posted
- 3y
Thank you so much! I’m definitely gonna check this out
- Date posted
- 3y
Do something you enjoy that’s distracting. Try self-care.
- Date posted
- 3y
Go about your daily routine.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
Hi PinkLotus! I completely understand that sitting in the discomfort is, well, uncomfortable! I sometimes experience anxiety before I do an exposure. The key is, sit with the discomfort alone. That is the ticket to ERP. Sit with that discomfort and allow your brain to go through its natural response of calming down. Sit in a quiet room, do your exposure, and go on with your normal routine. Try not to distract your brain, as this interrupts the ERP process. You can do this; stay strong!
Related posts
- Date posted
- 9w
A few hours ago I had my first ERP session and I am currently feeling nauseous and nervous at the same time. Right after my first exposure I wanted to quit right then and there, but I know I cannot. Does anyone have any tips for sitting with this level of discomfort? Anything is appreciated. Thanks! :-)
- Date posted
- 8w
Hello everyone! I’m starting to recognize when my thoughts begin to spiral, when i’m seeking reassurance or checking. But I still have the sense of uneasiness and anxiety. I was wondering what others do that allow them to move forward with their day when they realize this? I don’t know if I’m making sense, but what are ways you pull the focus back to the present and yourself? Like besides saying “maybe or maybe not”, more like what do you do with yourself after you recognize the thoughts? I feel like I’m at a “now what?” and don’t know what to do with my anxious energy. I’m trying to find something physical to help me so if you also have any hobbies or interests that help I would love to hear it.
- Date posted
- 7w
I am in an endless battle to figure things out. I think I figure something out that makes me feel better about my thoughts and then I find something else to prove it wrong and the cycle continues. I have so much discomfort I want to confess to my partner so bad. How do I handle this. I don’t think I’ve ever sat in this much discomfort. Why does it feel THIS BAD.
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