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Like anyone becomes so sensitive about one subject/theme that you got anxiety just by hearing/seeing certain word/images. What should we do in situation like this?

I really now try to prove myself I'm gay even if I know I'm not. I don't want to date woman but these thoughts are killing me. Everytime I see a woman I try to agree with my thoughts and seach if it fits if I say I'm gay, but it just makes me sick. I'm not a lesbian, I don't want to be. My psychiatrist said I have OCD but I still feel like I'm lying. Everything is so confusing. I want to marry my man and love him so much but everytime I talk about woman Everything feels contorted and I feel like I want a woman, it is just panic. I'm straight. I am so scared that maybe I am just scared to confess to myself that I am a lesbian but I m not. I just want this to end and I really want certainty.

Hi all. I’ve have put a couple of posts on here about Sertraline so sorry if it seems a little tedious! When I started taking the medication I started feeling a bit better from about day 9 and found the intrusive thoughts less sticky and they did not seem to carry the same level of anxiety, however I am now on day 23 and it feels like they are returning but at a slightly less intensity. My question is has anyone else had a similar experience? I know it can take 6 - 8 weeks for a fuller effect and possibly 12 weeks for OCD symptoms to reduce.

I absolutely hate ruminating at night, it's different then in the day time like I can combat the thoughts easier during the day. But at night it's like a whole different ball game as if I have no defense. And this triggers my anxiety, I'm so tired and sleepy I wanna sleep but I can't get these thoughts to just stop. Any advice is welcome and needed.

i found out he cheated on me a month ago after 3 years of being with him and being engaged. i broke up with him and i’m glad i did and proud i was strong enough to walk away. but whats f**king me up is the fact that after a month of no contact. he texted me calling me evil and a narcissist for leaving him for cheating on me. and he was victimizing himself and trying to turn the whole thing on me when he cheated. i’m glad i could see past his manipulation tactics and all it did to me was give me the ick and make me lose the little respect i had left for him. but i couldn’t help but feel hurt bc this isn’t the person i fell in love with. idk how he changed or why. was he ever in love with me? ik he isn’t a narcissist bc he has actual real empathy. ik at some point he loved me. but how can someone who loved you act this way and treat you like this. he even said “i’m mad you went a whole month without talking to me go another month”…. is he delusional? i broke up with him bc he cheated why would i talk to him? when i asked him why he did it, he said “idk it was just a f**k up, social media is one hell of a thing, she commented on my stuff so i commented on hers”, whats hurting me about that is our whole relationship he would tell me how bad cheating is and how he could never even look another woman’s way and that its not hard for him to be loyal and he even commented on a random tik tok a year ago that just so happened to come on my “for you page” that said he was in love with me and that he could never find another woman attractive and that he hopes he never will. he was the one who brought up marriage, he was the one to ask for my parents blessings, he was the one who introduced me to his whole family. was it all fake? did he just love being loved? how could he be so evil and treat me like shit. my friends told me it means he never cared about me. but i think i’m intuitive and observant enough to know automatically when someone is genuine or not and i felt he was genuine throughout the 3 years probably until the end. bc we were toxic and arguing a lot. but cheating so easily? and saying bc she commented on his stuff. first of all he literally had a video of me posted on his page. does he have no shame? same for the girl. and instead of after a month coming to me apologizing at least, he came at me rude and arrogant and as if i was in the wrong. i am so confused and hurt i don’t get it. my trust is ruined. i don’t think i could trust a soul again. you don’t get it he seemed head over heels for me. not only that even the way he looked at me or the things we’ve been through. he was genuine i’m not crazy. but wth happened for this to unfold like this? clearly he isn’t the one for me and is immature at his big age. but why? like ik the trust was gone for both sides towards the end but going as far as cheating and then not even being apologetic for it , is crazy. please someone give me some insight before i ruminate :(, it would be greatly appreciated. and for even reading this long i thank you. <3

I’m so frustrated I don’t know how to describe how I feel.. I’m scared, lonely, hurt. I’m just UGH i’m over everything these thoughts my feelings and emotions.. Why was I born?? What is my purpose?? These thoughts and emotions cloud my brain I want to escape the fog but its so deep and so thick.. I cant escape this fog this overwhelming fear and pain.. Im not a monster.. I dont ever want to be a monster.. UGH as I type this I still dont feel like this is how I truly feel.. Things are so overwhelming I just want to sleep.. I’m so over it. I JUST WANT TO BE NORMAL. Why cant i be like other teens? Why cant I just live my life??

I want to beat OCD because it puts stress on my relationships, my health, my future. I thought it was under control but with constant stories of Covid coming back, infections from mosquitoes, flesh eating bacteria in the water I am becoming scared to leave my home. I want my normalcy back.

Don’t neglect your ERP. Try your best to do it often, and on a **consistent** basis. Even on your good days- practice, practice, practice! Getting into the habit is so crucial for the recovery process. Doing this has definitely helped me stay on top of my OCD before it spikes up and sends me into another spiral.

Take a break from this app if you ever realise you are using it excessively or posting too much content. If you use this app too frequently, you could inadvertently become frozen in a specific instant of time which is the exact opposite of what we want and need. Take a break and focus on the present; avoid posting because it might become compulsive behaviour, and if you are triggered, let it pass without creating a post about it and spiraling needlessly into despair. Whenever you experience a triggering episode, instead of grabbing the thoughts and becoming stuck in time, here is what you should do: -> let it flow through time instead of making it "meaningful" by grabbing it and pinning it over the present time (ex. making a post) This way you'll rewire the brain and slowly develope the habit of not assigning unnecessary meaning to every single little thing ocd related and making a catastrophe out of it; you'll feel freer and detached by the thoughts and the triggers.

This is my first post on here. My friend recommend the app after I shared my struggles with OCD. I’ve been battling with many forms of OCD since I was 13 (perfectionist OCD, harm OCD, intrusive thoughts, hypochondria). I’m 29 now and feel like the mental health system has failed me. That’s a whole different story but recently I feel like OCD is coming back into my life. I recently began working as a student teacher in a kindergarten classroom and I’m also a graduate student working on my masters degree. My OCD was once so severe that the anxiety it gave me sent me to multiple psych wards and put my life on hold. That was 10 years ago. I feel like it’s coming back again and that scares me. Lately, the OCD that I’ve been experiencing is related to having to have everything be perfect. In particular, having to wear eyeglasses is really really bothering me. It might be a sensory thing too. I was diagnosed with severe dry eyes and can no longer wear contacts. It’s the silliest thing but I’m always thinking about it to the point where I’ll cry because the stress I inflict upon myself is so burdensome. I hate how I look in glasses and they just bother me so much I can’t focus on teaching or school work. If I forget to bring something with me to school I’ll fixate on that constantly throughout the day. I know it’s stupid and you just have to go with the flow but things bother me so much that it really does put me in a state of distress. I’m not sure how this app works but I’m really looking to find solidarity here in addition to coping skills that I haven’t been able to get from my therapist (I’m considering switching to someone who has experience with OCD). Right now I’d say my OCD is a 7/10 on a scale where 10 is completely crippling and you can’t function. I’m nervous as my responsibilities increase, my OCD symptoms will worsen. What has helped anyone who is experiencing a similar situation? Thank you!

I always recommend seeking professional help because it’s safer and way more effective to do it with a professional since they know EXACTLY what to do. But if you can’t see a professional right now and you have no idea when you’ll be able to seek help from an OCD therapist due to money or where you live, here’s a few things to help in the meantime. -Look into OCD and Anxiety’s YouTube channel. They have an OCD course you can do for a fee, -Download either the Calm app or Insight Timer app for guided meditations, -Read ALL the books by Lee Baer and Martin Seif on OCD and anxiety, -Look into Therapy in a Nutshell’s YouTube channel, -Start doing yoga! Because exercise is good for you. I suggest the YouTube channel Yoga with Adriene, -Subscribe and follow the YouTube channel, Psychology With Dr. Ana for great mental health content, -Start watching Thich Nhat Hanh’s guided meditations and talks on mindfulness. Also, buy his books on meditation and mindfulness, -Look into OCD International’s website if you’re international (or is the US but having issues finding help outside of NOCD) for help, -If you are looking for inpatient treatment for extreme OCD, look up Rogers Behavioral center’s website. You can even reach out to them for help, -ERP scripting: https://www.shalanicely.com/aha-moments/erp-scripting-for-ocd/ -The Hidden Power of Swearing at Your OCD: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/beyond-the-doubt/201711/the-hidden-power-of-swearing-at-your-ocd -Taking The Power Away From OCD: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/taking-the-power-away-from-intrusive-thoughts -Worry Script: https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/WorryScript.pdf What is ERP therapy: https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ocd-treatment/erp/

Anyone here with harm ocd about a person and has to be around him/her all the time? I live with my father and am tasked with being his caregiver. Not only am I not good it I am always irritated angry and annoyed by being around him. Has anyone experienced this kind of hell?

Hi there has anyone cured themselves from OCD ? Or close to healed and what have you done or used please ?

Has anyone tried using the supplement NAC before? I read it has helped a lot of people, but unsure if this is true!

My name is Sofie. I have OCD and sometimes it disguised itself with depression or hopelessness. I feel stuck for no reason. It’s like i’m stuck in mud and can’t lift my feet but there isn’t any mud or obstacles. Just life. Everything seems to trigger me back to my roots, an anxious stressed girl. My personality is happy. I’m always “happy,” but no one really knows the struggle in my brain and how something as normal as relaxation can send me into a spiral. I don’t know how to live in the now. I am always thinking about the past and the future simultaneously. For example, if i’m having a really fun day and have work the next day, the fun can be ruined immediately after thinking for a split second about my obligations. I just want to be content. I want to be free.

December 17, 2022 I woke up at my parents house for Christmas vacation/visit. I felt off, weird, not right but didn't know why. The day prior I got my PoTs diagnosis and was relieved, believing this answer has proved I won't die anytime soon. My biggest fear was dying, leaving behind my partner. While also, having the fear that he would die as well. So on this day, the 17th of December, something went wrong. It felt like my brain just stopped working, I didn't feel like me, my memories didn't feel like mine, and the memories of me and my partner felt like a dream, like the past 4.5 years of our relationship didn't happen at all. I told him about how I was feeling, almost like I couldn't recognize my life and he came to my parents home to help out. When he walked in the door days after this had started, I looked at him and I did not recognize him, it was as if a stranger had walked in, hugged and kissed me and told me everything was ok. Pure anxiety rushed through my body, I will never forget it, ever. This is when the thoughts began. My brain has gone through every possible thing, even the tiniest of "problems" which aren't even problems, and have used them as a reason why my partner is not right. Not only did he feel like a complete stranger, but I felt like a stranger in my body. Non of my interests interested me, things that made me happy were simply dull and muted. Getting tattoos? Something that has ALWAYS been a huge thing for me , nah you don't want tattoos anymore, you don't like the tattoos you have. Tiny home? Nah you don't want that, that isn't what you want. Become an artist? Create a buissness? Naaaaaaaaaah. I could go on. It didn't just affect how I saw my loving, beautiful, amazing partner, it changed me and who I am. This disease is pain. It changes you. 10 months of dealing with this now, and it feels like its been an eternity. Though it has got better, some days are still as hard as the first. The one thing I know, through ALL of this pain, the thoughts the feelings, is that my partner is incredible, my partner is loving, is caring, is supportive, ALWAYS has my back, is my best friend, will always try to make me smile when I'm feeling down, and has helped me through this journey without hesitation, even though I know it has been so difficult for him too( even if he doesn't admit it). Thats how I know I have someone special, and I will hold onto these things. It sucks that the good days get overshadowed by the bad days, almost like you can't remember the good days at all. But I know they happened, I know how I felt, and I know those days will come the more I help myself, get the help I need, and do the work. My life changed in December, but that doesn't mean its over, or that this struggle is forever. For whoever read this crazy amount of words, know that good days will come, if you have a loving supportive partner, don't let this disease rip that away from you. You are strong, you are important and you deserve happiness and love in your life. OCD wants to protect you, but in the worst way possible. Even though it feels like you've been robbed of your own identity, you are you and you are in there fighting to get better, and thats what matters. ✌🏻& 💖 Side note- DON'T READ RELATIONSHIP ADVICE ONLINE, MOST IF NOT ALL OF IT IS SHALLOW NONSENSE AND HONESTLY RIDICULOUS.

i love you, with pure o, whose ocd makes you waste time the entire day by ruminating about hypotheticals. i love you, with real event, whose ocd makes you treat your emotional pov on a past situation like the gospel. i love you, with pocd, whose ocd makes you believe you are a pedophile. i love you, with false memory, whose ocd makes you believe you did things you have no proof of. i love you, with rocd, whose ocd torments you for being "unfaithful", "immoral"; and demonizes your partner. i love you, with somatic ocd, whose ocd makes you hyperanalyze your bodily function to the point of exhaustion. i love you, with magical thinking, whose ocd makes you spend indescribable amounts of time practicing rituals to ensure nothing terrible with happen. i love you, with existentialism, where your ocd torments you about meanings, meanings, meanings. i love you, with religious/moral scrupulosity, whose ocd makes you hyperanalyze your relationship with god. i love you, with contamination ocd, whose ocd makes you scared of touching anything, anyone, and makes you so scared of getting infected. i love you, with harm ocd, who is being tormented by thoughts of being harmed or harming others. i love you, with racism ocd, whose ocd makes you question your morality and stances on race issues. i love you, with responsibility ocd, whose ocd torments you with an inflated sense of responsibility and guilt. i love you, with sexual/sexuality related ocd, whose ocd has made you uncomfortable with anything relating to your vulnerability and intimacy. i love you, with gender ocd, whose ocd has made you question your gender identity and brought you great confusion. i love you, with perfectionism ocd, whose ocd has made you hyperanalyze your surroundings like you're a divine being with incredible knowledge on the "perfect" details. I LOVE ALL OF YOU. your ocd does not stop me from seeing the person behind the disorder. you are suffering and you won't have to suffer forever. this post is not only a reminder you are loved, you are worthy, you are SO beautiful and brave, but also a reminder that ocd is extremely treatable— it doesn't have to be chronic. it doesn't have to take away your happiness. it doesn't have to take away your sense of self. with enough effort and self-love, you can make this disorder a thing of the past. i tried to include all the subtypes in this post, for ocd can manifest in so many different ways for so many different people. in the end, it's still ocd. and i'm sure that people with multiple subtypes especially know exactly what i mean when i say— the pain is so real for all of us. but thankfully, and fortunately, there is HOPE. you can have hope. you don't have to compulse right now. when you opened this app, what did you think to yourself? did you do it out of compulsion? did you do this to check-in with your therapist? did you do it to complete homework? there's a bunch of possibilities. what matters is you downloaded the NOCD app because, deep down inside, there is a part of you that knows you can defeat this utterly terrible disorder that has you by the neck sometimes. like i have said above, you do not need to suffer. in fact, you could probably stop ruminating right now if you wanted to. it should be effortless. we are scared because ocd knows exactly how to make a fear seem real. ocd is about fearing a hypothetical. a positive answer to a negative what if. when i thought about writing this post, i realised how much i needed to hear someone loves me, too. that somewhere on this earth, someone cares. because even if we don't realise it, many of us with ocd also suffer from depression. so take it from this post- it's your sign to have faith in your recovery. YOU CAN DO IT. you don't need to search for reassurance, to compulsively google, to do anything at all except focus on yourself at the moment and your recovery. the past or your future are irrelevant here. the past doesn't matter, and your future is to be dealt with at the right time. for now... remember these 3 fundamentals: 1. you are loved, SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU KNOW. so much more than your ocd allows you to accept. 2. you are worthy. like every other human being on this planet, you have a purpose. whether that is to do something never before seen, or simply exist, is enough. 3. your ocd might be debilitating, but you are so much more than a slave to your thoughts. they're thoughts— they hold NO power. no matter what they tell you, or how much proof they bring you, or how much distress they bring you, they're just thoughts. imagine a baby duckling telling you constantly it's going to turn into a killer stegosaurus and kill you— yeah, that won't ever happen. it sounds convincing, you might think "huh, well what if"- STOP RIGHT THERE. that's the ocd trap. it doesn't matter what it tells you. a duckling is a duckling, just like a thought is a thought. i know many of you who opened this app might've never expected such a long post from a random nocd cohabitant, but i'm glad you got to the end of it. i hope you got a sense of inner peace reading this. sending all the love.

I just woke up with my head full of thoughts & it kept repeating “why are we alive if in 2,000 years we all gonna be dead” .. “ are we really gonna get to live for ever even after life how does that work ?” .. everytime I hear someone talking my mind says “ why even talk if we just gonna die ?, why aren’t they thinking about the fact that we’re gonna die .” & now it has me actually freaking out about that 😅.. but idk what type of OCD that is.

So I’ve gotten WAYY!! Better with my pocd but there are times when I’m just living and almost forget or have some interaction with OCD. But sometimes I feel like even though I am, I get depressed immediately because, the future I’ve always wanted (having a wife and kids) just doesn’t seem like it’s even possible anymore, I feel like (A. If I do every get in a serious relationship, All I’ll be thinking is (you have pocd, you can’t tell her cause she’ll freak out and leave you and maybe possibly call the cops) its been so severe that I have these false attractions or whatever but not all the time and intrusive thoughts so graphic I spaz out or get goosebumps cause of how disturbing. I hate it with a passion. But I just feel like I don’t deserve to have any of that. That’s literally all I’ve been looking for in life have a wife and two kids and a good home. And it probably won’t ever happen sadly. Anyone on the same boat? 😔

I've been struggling recently, pretty bad. I've been taking my medicine so idk if it's just my actual thoughts or if it's just my ocd but im worried that I like someone while i'm with my amazing boyfriend. I always worry about liking people but it all got so much worse after I had a se*ual dream about them. And I know you can't control your dreams but after that dream I had a shift with them yesterday and like idk all i could focus on was worrying if i liked them or having thoughts about how i would like them because of a way they would talk or something. And like the feelings i've gotten around them feels so wrong. I just need to know if i'm doing the wrong thing. I really need reassurance.