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My HOCD is spiking a lot more today bc of certain triggers. However I wanna go on vacation with my boyfriend soon. Hopefully then my ocd will give me some peace as we’ll be with family and I’ll have him the whole time

Was anyone else ever misdiagnosed as having something instead of OCD? Because when I started obsessing five years ago, I had intrusive thoughts about death, which led the doctors to believe that I wanted to harm myself when in reality it was my OCD. So, I was diagnosed with depression, and got treatment for that rather than OCD. It wasn’t until earlier this year they realized I was suffering from OCD.

Anyone have experience with ketamine for OCD? They’re doing a study on it at Stanford and it’s supposedly very promising.

What do you think about telling your family you have or think you have OCD?

I was just wondering if anyone’s OCD had prevented them from sitting exams? I’m about to go into a huge exam block and I’m going through a really rough patch with my OCD. I don’t think I could honestly make it through exams at this point. Any advice? d a i s y

Y’all HOCD and honestly OCD as a whole is the worst. Some days I think I’m doing fine and then other days, my brain tries to convince me that I’m in denial of my sexuality. I’ve always been attracted to men; in fact one of my biggest dreams has always been to have a husband and kids. I don’t want to have a relationship with a woman, but even if I see a woman and think she is beautiful or that outfit makes her look so pretty, or her boobs look good in that dress, etc..etc..ocd likes to take me on this rollercoaster of doubts. I think women are structurally beautiful but I also think sunsets are beautiful! I’m truly not trying to look for reassurance here, but can anyone relate? My HOCD shows itself as intrusive feelings and even false attractions/ unwanted sensations. I hate these feelings and I truly don’t want to have a relationship with a woman. I would not be happy, but I can’t seem to escape the doubts. For those of you who struggle with HOCD, what is your story?

How do you all deal with the fear of paranoia or fear of going crazy? (Notice: I said fear of paranoia)

I really struggle to say no. I feel like I’m responsible for everyone’s happiness and safety and if I say no then they’ll be upset and might hurt themselves. I know how silly that sounds but I can’t help feeling this way. I’m exhausted and I need to put myself first- please help

Has anyone dealt with depression and OCD at the same time? Did it take getting the depression better before the OCD got better?

I need advice. Tomorrow I have my second therapy appointment. I don’t know how to introduce my OCD thoughts and compulsions to my therapist. I am afraid she will think i’m crazy or tell my parents.

my ocd is the worst when I get up in the morning. I journal before I go to work and when I’m off but some days the fear worries overtake me before I leave the house and then it takes me forever to leave the house because of the self checking compulsion that has to do with appearance. Does anyone have any strategies or suggestions?

Question: On a scale from 1 to 10, how much of an impact would you say OCD has had on your life? Question #2: OCD completely aside on this one, what is the thing you like most about yourself?

I’m having a really hard time doing any exposures whatsoever. Does anyone have any tips? I have been living with ROCD for 20+ years and only recently got diagnosed and seeing a therapist - so my rituals are pretty deeply ingrained. I see how bad it’s screwing up my life but I feel powerless to stop myself.

Does anyone know the root cause if there ocd (when it started )

Hey guys. I don’t know if any of you have already seen this study (it is from a little while ago) but I just wanted to share it for anyone who is struggling with exposure therapy because seeing this study is something that has helped me. Here’s the link: http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/behavioral-therapy-increases-connectivity-in-brains-of-people-with-ocd As it states in the article, “The changes appeared to compensate for, rather than correct, underlying brain dysfunction”. There is of course no cure for OCD currently, but seeing this study gave me so much hope because the fact that CBT can actually change the brain of someone with OCD is amazing in my opinion. The changes to your brain that can actually reduce your OCD symptoms are soooooo much more important than the temporary relief we get when we engage in our compulsions.

I think I have ocd. It started out in grade 11 with checking locks on doors and windows. At first I didn’t think anything of it, but quickly got out of hand. Sometimes it’ll take me two hours to get to bed because I have to repeatedly check things until it’s just right. I’m one of the most messy people, but sometimes I’ll see an object like a remote control out of place and I just have to go fix it, then come back and fix it again etc. I have to do that crucifix gesture on my body at least four times before I go to bed. I re-read things in my head until I “say” it just right. Constantly checking stuff in my room. I don’t know why this started, but a few months earlier I was dealing with a pretty traumatic family issue. My moms side of the family seems to be predisposed to some mental health issues.

does anyone have any tips to get over HOCD? it’s driving me crazy and it’s taking over my life

(Existential OCD) Hello everyone, I am not necessarily looking for reassurance because I know that is hallmark for OCD, but I have been struggling deeply with exhausting mental obsessions. I don’t have any physical compulsions but I find that I can not stop my mind from spouting ideas that really bother me. I’ve already seemingly dealt with my Health OCD and my Harm OCD but of course there is no end to things you can be afraid of. Lately (as seen in the title), I have been dealing with the extremely uncomfortable and entirely new to me, existential OCD. Never have I faced an OCD that has caused me so much frustration for such an extended period of time. For those that are sensitive to these things, I will be giving examples now. Recently, I think it started out with a fear of losing touch with reality and never being able to come back but I have been dealing with thoughts like “what if everything is only a perceived illusion made by the mind?” Or “what if everything is fake”. I obviously don’t believe these things to be true or else I wouldn’t be messaging on this forum but I am experiencing extreme, discomfort and it’s been hard for me to find any peace at all. It feels as if my thoughts are spiraling and are putting me in a place that I thought I climbed out of. This all dates back to a acid trip my friend had years ago, where he thought he wasn’t his body and thought that everyone was fake. He eventually came down but it really shook me that someone could believe these things to be true. I think ever since then I have had an extreme fear of these things and now I am terrified that I am going to believe these things and eventually go mad. Have any of you experienced these things or have any idea on how to get out of this terrible spiral? How do I do ERP for something like this? Thank you for your help. Christian,

Just curious... how old are you guys? I’ve seen lots of people talking about school on here. I’m 18 and this community has really helped me feel less alone in being a teen with ocd!

Let me know if this is an inappropriate question to ask. Has anyone had positive/negative experiences with the medication Fluoxetine (Prozac, Lovan etc?) Hope everyone has a wonderful day. d a i s y