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Does anyone get extremely triggered by news stories, specially the recent Idaho events? Today really triggered my ocd and I’m scared to sleep etc cuz I’m convinced someone is after me just like those stories

Any fellow Christians who struggle with religious OCD, do you ever feel burnt out from your faith from managing obsessions and compulsions? I have a desire to read scripture and be with God, but it can also be a battle because a lot of my compulsions center around scripture. What encourages you when you get like this?

If you have walked through any of these things listed below, what helped you? 1) How do I make peace with the important moments that OCD ruined in my life? Some of these moments I had prayed for and looked forward to for so long. Then my intrusive thoughts, fears, anxiety robbed me from feeling present and joyful in some really important moments. I can’t get those moments back. 2) I needed therapy and support for years, definitely for undiagnosed OCD and other problems it caused. How do I make peace with the younger version of myself who tried to heal on her own and not get the help she so desperately needed? 3) Forgive those who played a role in stressing me out to the point that my OCD became excruciating in July. 4) Forgive myself for deciding to get friendly with those who ended up causing my stress and then long term OCD symptoms and depression to spike out of control, despite my better judgment. 5) Rebuild a relationship with God after turning my back on him, telling him he must not care about me because he didn’t protect me from these people and this experience. I feel like there’s a lot of self pity in my post lol, I guess that’s just where I am right now in my story! Encouragement and advice from people who can relate would be AWESOME. I really want to get better broken heart 💔 ❤️‍🩹 😕

Hey, I’m having trouble with intrusive thoughts lately and I was wondering if I even have ocd because I feel uncomfortable if I don’t solve the intrusive thoughts. I have the same themes showing up in my head all the time, they are suturing and not part of my character, but they make me worry that I’m a bad person, that’s why I need to solve, mostly I check the thoughts and analyse my emotions with it. I did go to the doctor , I’m waiting for my therapy appointment, I’m worried what if I don’t have ocd?

Can you really convince yourself you fell out of love? I know I shouldn’t be posting but I am so desperate… I wanna know if others have believed they actually fell out of love? I don’t know if I am with my partner for the right reasons.. 😞 I always knew it was ROCD but now.. it’s like.. I don’t even have it.. Kissing is the one big thing I love getting from my partner. I am a big baby when I want him to give me good night kisses. But it’s like I don’t want them anymore… that I am just forcing myself to kiss him.. I hate it.. I love giving him kisses… that and hugs.. my mind is stuck.. I’ve been with him for 12 1/2 years… I don’t want it to end bc we can make the relationship grow further with work and that’s what we are trying so hard to achieve. I know I love him ALOT. I am scared after saying I wanna break up over and over and over again… I actually convinced myself I wanna break up. I don’t feel anything anymore.. I want the relationship to live bc we are good together. I can’t see myself breaking up and I hate that I constantly feel or think I want to… it’s not fair… 😭 I am scared that I’m not attracted to him anymore too… I don’t want it to die so please someone help!!! I am going thru the grass is greener syndrome too…

Trigger warning for those that might get triggered by mention of ped0philic thoughts & suicidal ideation. I am 20 years old and have always wanted to have children young. My boyfriend and I have had discussions of starting the process of trying to have children, but recently my POCD has really been acting up. I fear that I am attracted to children and teens and I also have gr0inal sensations occasionally. This has caused me an immense amount of panic and depression to the point of me wanting to end my life. I feel like I shouldn’t have children due to my POCD. So, back to the question in my title. Should I avoid having kids since I have POCD?

My ocd serial killer harm thoughts // Schizophrenia fears are hitting the past few days and I totally fell for 2 compulsions. While I do feel stronger in dealing with it. The discomfort is still the same. Any words of encouragement?

Just some encouragement for those going through ERP for the first time. I've been doing ERP for a month or so and it's hard. Sometimes the flare ups of anxiety and uncomfortableness last for hours, sometimes off and on throughout the day, sometimes for multiple days in a row. It's hard and you wonder if it's even working considering how bad you feel. The doubt is hitting your brain. You feel like you're writhing under your skin and feel dirty in a place you can't reach to clean. You feel numb as you're with friends or doing something fun and feel like you can't enjoy yourself. You can feel exhausted from fighting with your brain. But then one day you wake up and you begin to realize you don't feel as bad as you did. It's like the fog has lifted for a moment and you can see the thoughts, the feelings, the lies as they really are. These moments of clarity grow and grow and show up more frequently. It might fade if you sit and poke at the thoughts wondering if you're still scared and worried that you're not. Remember OCD is a small thing disguised as a collosal entity. It's a cult leader pretending to be God in order to brainwash you of the worst things. It's an overprotective guardian keeping you trapped under the guise of protection. And it all takes place in your mind making you feel like you're irrational and simultaneously a liar. The panic ebbs and flows and you just want things to go back to normal. But if you continue to be neutral. Treat it as a toddler asking "why" a million times to get on your nerves. Call it out as OCD and let the thoughts and feelings exist in you mind. I swear the fog will continue to lift more and more overtime. You are all so amazing. OCD is a monster that is holding up a hollowed out mirror telling you that it's your reflection, trying to convince you that you aren't strong enough to handle it. But I believe in you. If you have to talk to your OCD, tell it to "bring it on". Taking on the risk, the panic, the fear isn't easy. But you're here on this app. You were brave enough to make it another day. Another day you're here is another day to try again in kicking OCD's behind. Even if it's resisting one compulsion, that means a victory all the same. It's hard. I've vomited over the intrusive thoughts I've had. I've felt I should lock myself away due to the things OCD convinced me that I was. Some days I still feel that. But it becomes less and less over time. OCD wants to isolate you, hurt you, beat you up, and restrict your happiness. It's demanding. It wants you all to itself. It's a personal battle in a way. But I promise if you keep going, even if you slip up, It gets better. All of you are braver than you realize, you keep going and doing things even when you're terrified. Bravery isn't being unafraid of something, it's doing what you need to do while terrified. I know you might feel bad and exhausted right now, that's okay. You've been fight for a long time. Just take a breath and get back up, that's all you need to do. I hope this encourages anyone going through ERP and encourages those about to start it. You are fighting your own mind and winning, that's freaking incredible. No matter what, get back up and keep going because one day you will look back at this moment and realize you did what you thought you could never do.

Hi I have not been diagnosed with ocd but I’m pretty positive that I have it. I have been with my boyfriend for almost two years and I love him dearly and I would do anything for him. Towards the ending of my senior year of high school a boy who I have not talked to in high school randomly came up to me and talked to me for a bit just about how life was going and what not I don’t even really remember what we were talking about it was very brief but I mentioned that I had a boyfriend while we were talking just in case he was flirting with me but I was sure he wasn’t. To add on I also found this person attractive but I don’t find other men more attractive then my partner. Later on that day me and my boyfriend were arguing and our relationship wasn’t as stable as it usually was and I was very stressed out and I had thoughts of maybe I wouldn’t be as stressed out or that I would be happier with someone else. Things got cleared up and I felt immensely guilty for thinking those things and I felt horrible but I was able to move on and be happy with him like how we usually are. Then my graduation day comes and this person comes up to me and says that I looked beautiful. I didn’t think much of it and I just said thank you I was flattered and continued on with my night. I didn’t think much of it because I did see him being very friendly to other girls in our grade that day like rubbing their shoulders and being very touchy and talking a bunch. And I would think to myself I would not want that in my boyfriend (like talking to a bunch of girls and stuff) then summer came, my boyfriend and I were very happy and in love. Then my boyfriend went through a transitional time after high school and he was having a hard time and it affected our relationship. I started having thoughts like the grass in probably greener with that other person from school. (Which I know it would not be ) and I love my boyfriend I never want to leave him. But since those thoughts this persons name pops into my head I’d start crying and be mad at myself and I’d be constantly frustrated and at war with myself because I just wanted to be with my boyfriend and I felt like I couldn’t and it was always bothering me. I turned towards closure thinking that if I knew this person wasn’t flirting with me then maybe I can stop thinking about him and I asked him and he told me he was just trying to have a friendly conversation nothing else and that he has a gf and that he was with her for a very long time. And I felt so much relief and that I can be free and just be with my boyfriend. And then my mind kept telling me that I have a crush on that other person when I know In my heart I don’t and it felt all too real. Then time continued on and I started to have thoughts thinking that I’m gay when I know I’m not and it would give me so much anxiety. I couldn’t be around my friends without feeling weird when my boyfriend would kiss me and I’d think about a girl I know kissing me and I would feel sick to my stomach and disgusting after and so anxious. Then I would have thoughts thinking that I’m a pedofile or a serial killer when I am none of these things. And my thoughts will cycle from thinking that I’m a bad girlfriend or I’m with the wrong person or that I’m a cheater to that I’m a lesbian or that I’m a pedofile or that I would kill someone when none of these are true. I don’t want this to take more of my life then it already has it’s been 7 months I even have suicidal thoughts but I know I wouldn’t do it. And it’s all so stupid it gives me the worse anxiety I can never focus and it feels like I can’t be myself or fully relax anymore. It’s like my heart and my body will be enjoying the moment and my mind will be saying the most evil things. How can this end I’m over ocd.

this is my first time using this app. i havent been officially diagnosed with ocd but the signs seem pretty clear. i've noticed myself being more anxious lately. a major issue ive been having is i am extreme indecisive. its dinner time, chicken tenders or a burger? sometimes it take me more time to decide on something than to eat it. maybe because i wanna make the best decision i can. and thats just one example. in the same ballpark, i can never have a thought that doesnt come with a conflicting thought. usually when i feel like i've negatively affected another person. i guess an example is like if i have plans to do something with a friend that i dont really want to do, i'll cancel. but then im like "what if going to that event meant a lot to them? did i make them cry? was that rude of me? should i go anyways and suck it up to not hurt them? i should respect my choices more. is that selfish?" you get the point. it then sends me into a spiral which often leads to anxiety or me crying. its all very tiring and i was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences.

Plus it’s making me feel like I’m not anxious by my intrusive thoughts, and feelings rn… 😭😭 I just want this to stop…

sometimes i think people really don’t realize how bad my OCD is.

Man, it's been a while since I've dealt with these - it's been mostly harm images for a while. But the intrusive urges are back, and maybe stronger than ever. How do you guys deal with them? Do I just disregard? The feeling tonight was so strong that I was going to kick my dog, and I love her so much. I hate this. Do you guys have tips? I've started compulsively googling again and I need to stop. Any tips for how to sit with this would be so helpful.

Everything involving potential health problems I’ve come across this year has been very black and white. -long-lasting headaches -random pain sensations that’ll come one night then disappear -panicking over fearing taking a medication I wasn’t supposed to -using water that may have been contaminated The list goes on, I am so deathly terrified of, well, death already. I’m having such a tough time not thinking the absolute worst in ant situation I’m in regarding my health and I’m struggling sitting and accepting that it may NOT be something deadly each time. I’m trying to get past this and focus on the joy in life and surrendering that things out of my control - are out of my control and I can only worry about what I can control. But this thing with death is so hard for me to not overanalyze and think black and white about, more than I ever used to. Does anyone or any NOCD peer advisors have any advice tailored to health concern anxiety/ocd? It’s hard to balance what’s real vs what isn’t with health (although I’m sure this is the case with any ocd)

Yesterday was a great day. Not even gonna lie. I had so much fun and I'm glad I got to do it. Just as I was doing the usual things I do when I wind down and relax, which is play video games and watch YouTube. While this was happening, I got an intrusive thought that was different from others. This one stuck harder than the other usual ones and it won't go away. It even gave me physical reactions to it. It sucks that I just have to let this pass and think about it at all. Anyone else notice this though? They'll get a thought they usually never think about until one day it comes up and sticks?

This will be some sort of a rant about how fear-marketing frustrates me! It triggers my OCD to oblivion. I get scared of everything and stuck with a feeling that the whole world, everything, is very dangerous and I feel paralysed. I cannot even buy a candle or a pillow without freaking out about what if it is toxic? What if that furniture will off-gas? What if it will cause permanent damage to my health! Advertising by using people’s fear by exaggerating the danger is so cruel! Even trying to buy cookware turns into torture. Do not buy nonstick because it is toxic; do not buy stainless steel because still there are dangers; do not buy cast iron because you cannot wash it with soap and detergents, and it might pose other dangers; do not buy wooden utensils, because they soak up detergents if you use them and if you don’t they are not properly cleaned; do not buy silicone because there is this research shows they release some chemicals…. But I have to use something because, well, I have to eat. Also for example baking cakes is (was?) a huge source of enjoyment and relaxation for me but I realised today that slowly I started to be afraid of my cooking utensils, which are actually the standard cooking utensils that you’d probably find in every store and kitchen; but here I am, thinking they can be this nasty poison. I am afraid of putting my loved ones in danger… Or I really liked to do furniture flips, but then i freaked out about the wood materials, painting materials, sanding the wood, stuff needs to be used to treat the piece. So I gave up. I wanted to do a comprehensive renovation to my home, but selecting materials became so exhausting so I put it on hold because I cannot pick. But at the same time, I am also afraid of existing materials because of all the “advertising” I read about the new options. I lost count of things I gave up although I loved them because I was so anxious and scared. I know giving up is a compulsion but alternative is so painful. When it comes to health related obsessions why do I get paralysed and all my ERP attempts fail 😩 I just wish people wouldn’t use fear to advertise! It is also very ironic that I worry about these things yet smoked for years (hopefully, i finally managed to quit this time🤞)🤦‍♀️ it just doesn’t make sense either. But at the same time my mind tells me: “If you didn’t smoke, then you’d be safer by using all that stuff. Since you do both, they accumulate.” And to be honest, it has a truth to it to some degree and it makes it that more scary because my reaction although is out of proportion, there is actually a reason to be afraid. And I cannot realistically determine the proper amount of reaction I should give. It is so frustrating and confusing. Sorry for the long post. The rant is over.

If I hear one more person say or see something that says "Yeah, I have OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder!! 😜😜" Or "OCD means Obessisive Cat Disorder! Hahaha! Im so quirky" I'm going to break someone in half and then use their broken bones to poke my eyes and/or ears out. How about we stop using a disorder that has taken lives and still does as a joke, and actually listen to the people struggling saying "Hey guys, can we please stop joking about a disorder that makes me want to die everyday?", "Hey, can we stop using a horrible disorder as a joke and an adjective?" "Hey, can you stop saying you have a disorder because you just like being neat and also calling said disorder 'quirkey' or 'weird'???" PLEASE. All of this was sparked from rage of me trying to find a pin that says "I have OCD, Dont judge me if I do something you think is strange" but all of them were just making jokes. I hate people. Here are just SOME of the examples:

My OCD has been a total Hell. I literally was stuck trapped in bathroom for 15hrs straight no food water or rest for days. When ever i shower/brush teeth anything of washing it takes forever! I was up for 18hrs total i started crying i was soo exhausted then i still couldn't drink anything all day my anxiety was soo high i couldnt. My severe contamination OCD stops me from everything including drinking n eating. Sooo miserable!😭

Okay so I’ve asked a similar question before but either way. I just had a baby. I love him more than life itself, at first I was really struggling with baby blues I was nervous it’d become full blown postpartum depression but that side has seemed to ease up at least a little and now it’s just my ocd that’s still really spiked up and making me depressed instead. I feel like everything triggers me. I spend all day ruminating. The mornings are the worst I seem to feel better towards the end of the day and idk why but at least that gives me some relief. But I’m wondering what do you guys do to help yourselves throughout the day? How do you start your day to try and make sure you have a good one? Whether you have children or not just what are things you do/have been taught in therapy to do to help you cope and make things better for yourselves? Cause I am struggling. I keep having ocd dreams and then wake up already feeling guilty and gross. I have intrusive thoughts all day long and spend all day trying to “think them through” so I feel better about them and why they aren’t true. The worst part is I am super anxious and feel completely unable to be intimate with my husband because of ocd. Like I feel like it makes it impossible. The baby sleeps in our room and of course no one is wanting to do anything in front of the baby and my husband is like of course I’m not wanting to do anything in front of him. He can’t see or comprehend anything and of course if he started crying we’d stop. But I’ve told him it just makes me too uncomfortable at all like I know that if we did anything and he started making noise or anything we’d stop but. At this point even if he’s in another room in the house I can’t do anything or like he’s in the floor in another kind of bassinet in the living room and my husband wants to make out with me and shit and I feel so guilty the whole time cause even to know he’s just three weeks old he comprehends nothing my ocd the whole time is just like he’s right there or just constantly gives me thoughts about him like “you have a son or a kid how can you ever be sexually aroused if you have knowledge of this how can you ever be sexually aroused cause I think of the thing that’s making me aroused and then again it’s like “you have a kid” or “you have a kid with this person they resemble the kid so how can you be attracted to them?” And I’m just so so upset cause I want to do stuff with my husband. And also I feel super guilty if I get any thought that my husband is sexy or hot and I want to do stuff with him while I’m holding my child like I’m not like trying to have any kind of fantasy or something but the thought comes across like hey my husbands hot like I want to do stuff with him and if I’m holding my kid I feel overwhelming guilt and feel so gross.

Does anyone on here have bipolar? How did you find out you had it, or make you think you had it?