I need some encouragement. Having a really bad episode of compulsive behaviors after a stressful day and my OCD is health-related and I have two doctors appointment coming up. I feel like I'm going insane. I woke up in pure panic and anxiety. Please help

Thank you, it's not easy when you feel like you're alone in this especially when you struggle so and everyone around you seems to be getting on with life just fine. I wish you the best in your continued journey with o c d and recovery/management.

@Bri007 Thank u 🥺

Thank you so much.

I don't know what to do.... I have been at this for years sometimes more successful than others with erp. I currently started up therapy again in September. But since my OCD is around my health and I have pending health appointments coming up in the next few weeks compounding with holidays in the stress of having a one-year-old I just feel like I'm going to fall apart. I'm trying to use some c b d oil to help me calm down a little bit but I don't know if it's time that I am actually put on meds. I know they try not to medicate you with erp to make it more successful but I don't know how much more I can take of this. There are days where I feel very strong against the o c d like I see it for what it is and then there are days where because of bodily sensations or symptoms I succumb to it.

@Bri007 Just wanted to send some support and strength your way. To say I relate would be an understatement. Oh the shame spirals after getting stuck in a compulsive loop can be so intense. A few things that I have found helpful: 1) Community Grouos (they have a couple specific for moms) https://www.treatmyocd.com/support-groups 2) Water as soon as I wake up (like 40-60 oz). The body accumulates Cortisol thru the nifht, so water first thin can help flush it out and reduce anxiety. 3) Self compassion - this has been hard, definitely my worst critic. I hung up a big white board- titled it “II AM AWESOME-MY DAILY WINS”. I wrote all my wins on pink stickies.. every single thing that has been challenging and I did it anyway, as small as brushing my therth, and opening the front door. Then I wrote on blues stickies “I FORGIVE MY SELF FOR” and would list any perceived failures, as small as not turning on the dishwasher which I would have totally judged myself for and big as getting stuck in hours long compulsions. Seeing the lists at the end of the day and how big my win list was compared to the other, really helped me gain perspective and develope self compassion. 4) low dose SSRI, I heard the opposite about meds with ERP. I was told and read that they can help take the edge off and make it more manageable to push harder with ERP, so I used them for a few months, off them now & sooo glad i used them. At its worse my physical conoulsions were at 10-12 hrs everyday, 7 months ago. It has been weeks since I have done any physical compulsions and my OCD is now about 90% managed. Sending hope and strengt your way. Hope some of that is helpful. You are not alone!

@HappyTurtle (Roxanne) Wow, thank you so much for such feedback. The water intake is very interesting, I will definitely try to add that as my night time and morning anxiety is through the roof. To hear someone who has struggled and gotten through it in the sense that you have makes me feel more confident that I can get through it myself. So thank you for sharing your story. It means an awful lot! I do think that giving myself credit where credit is due could also help motivate me to not get stuck in the loop. To see more outcomes of what it's like when you don't give in to the fear. I am definitely going to start focusing on taking the bus steps forward whether that be continued with erp with or without medication. But I do have to be honest with myself almost going to work best and honest with my therapist. Thank you for letting me know about the community groups I think it'll help as having a way to connect to others who understand the stress of parenting the anxieties that are added on top of it and what this all means for OCD.

Thank you so much the love and support means the world to hear . I'm welling up with tears.