I’m so frustrated

My friend on here just finished reading his first book and I can’t help but feel jealous I want to finish reading or even start a book too I used to love to read when I was younger but I can’t read anymore because of my attention span and anxiety what if I didn’t retain what I read do I need to go back to that page so I can make sure I understood it … what if I read it too fast or skimmed over it …I used to have an attention span when I was younger but it’s like it was wiped away and I was consumed by anxiety so it’s like what’s the point in reading I’m so sad I can’t even listen to an audio book because the same thing happens I just want to scream at my brain to shut up

Username: iwanttogetbetter96iwanttogetbe...

Date posted: 26w ago

The brain is a muscle. Reading books is like going to the gym and lifting weights. The first time you lift weights your muscles may not be able to handle the reps or exercise. The more frequent you go, your muscles will strengthen and eventually your body will adapt and allow to lift weights effortlessly. . In my opinion. . . Reading is the same concept. The first couple of times of trying to read I struggle with focus. The more frequently I try to read, the easier it becomes to focus and finish a book.

Username: BlueberrycowsBlueberrycows

Date posted: 26w ago

@iwanttogetbetter96 Thankyou ❤️

Username: iwanttogetbetter96iwanttogetbe...

Date posted: 26w ago

@Blueberrycows My pleasure! I encourage reading because you never know what you may find in a good book! :) it sounds corny, but books are what set us free. Books are a powerful tool. I am excited about your reading journey. I look forward to hearing about your reading accomplishments. One more tip, try checking out books that are related to topics that you are passionate about. Don’t force yourself to read a book that doesn’t catch your attention. Just like a movie. . You wouldn’t force yourself to watch a 2 hour film that is boring. . Same with books! Pick one that you like and roll with it. Grab a snack. And get your read on.

Username: flokifloki

Date posted: 26w ago

If you can try and start or by reading a smaller book or a comic / magazine. Even a little sentence is a big achievement. You've got this 👍

Username: BlueberrycowsBlueberrycows

Date posted: 26w ago

@floki Thankyou

Username: Wolfram Wolfram

Date posted: 26w ago

It's possible. I had it undiagnosed for 27years and all the issues that go along with that. You can do it too. Keep asking the right questions, learning what you can to deal with ocd and taking the right steps towards your recovery goal. I believe in you but don't let that excuse your efforts and give into complacency until you hit your goal. 😊

Username: BlueberrycowsBlueberrycows

Date posted: 26w ago

@Wolfram Thankyou it’s just so frustrating lol

Username: Wolfram Wolfram

Date posted: 26w ago

@Blueberrycows I can only imagine. I didn't have a memory of having an attention span prior to getting ocd. I must be horrible to know what you're missing. What kind of books did you like reading before?

Username: BlueberrycowsBlueberrycows

Date posted: 26w ago

@Wolfram Phsycology books … I haven’t really finished a book since elementary school so Junie b jones when I was younger …. But now like I said I like phycology books medical books mental health facility books anything to do with the study of the brain

Username: Wolfram Wolfram

Date posted: 26w ago

@Blueberrycows Would neuroscience interest you at all? There was a video roughly explaining the neuroscience of ocd that helped me get better and all the self experiments regarding recovery

Username: BlueberrycowsBlueberrycows

Date posted: 26w ago

@Wolfram Sure anything you can pass along I’ll gladly take the offer ❤️

Username: Wolfram Wolfram

Date posted: 26w ago

@Blueberrycows https://youtu.be/BJshegpcFv8?feature=shared https://youtu.be/xoSlOnUuw-U?feature=shared These videos helped me look in to and study other approaches on dealing with ocd outside my therapy sessions. It helped in aiding erp, intrusive thoughts, hormone balance and how diets effect ocd etc. Lots of self trial and error experiments. So if you want help getting started on reading psychology themed stuff. I can help answer questions or point you in the direction to experiment/ discover yourself. (some of my ones that ended badly were awful but enlightening either way)

Username: Anais V

Date posted: 20w ago

Empath and OCD

Recently I’ve been struggling with obsessing about becoming depressed and not being able to control myself. It started when I was trying to be empathetic for my friends who are going through depression and suicidal thoughts. After hearing about all of that I started to obsess about those feelings. I bought books about how to not be depressed and listen to music that is anti depression. I’m so scared of becoming depressed and having any negative self harming thoughts. I was so scared of rope that was brought home, that I told my parental figure to remove the rope from the house out of the fear of harming myself. Hi my name is Anais, I am 15 years old and I go to a prep school. Currently I am on summer break.All of these feelings have all suddenly spiked during the summer. At school I had none of this. I am reaching out because I don’t know how to cope with these stressful feelings. I am scared of being depressed and self harming. Every day these what if thoughts about self harm are on my mind. Like example “what if I’m depressed” “ what if I’m like suicidal” and I become super afraid of myself. Do you have ways to cope. I think because of these obsessions I am slowly gonna actually be depressed and that scares me more. Like my mind is trying to put me in the shoes of someone else even though I know I’m not depressed. This literally spiked over summer. I have had obsessions before like constantly being scared that my throat was closing so I avoided foods that I didn’t regularly eat. I don’t know how I got over it. I constantly read books about depression, listen to podcast, and make sure I can do whatever I can to not be depressed. I also talk about my feelings to loved ones and friends all the time. I’m scared of being depressed. Does anyone have advice to overcome fear of harming themselves or advice for overcoming feelings that aren’t mine. My mind is trying to trick me into feeling sad so it can prevent me from feeling depressed ever.

Username: lizaaa

Date posted: 18w ago

Lost interest

Has anyone lost interest in something they loved before intrusive thoughts? I like romance books so much, escaping my world and thinking of someone's else's,reading romance stories... After my intrusive thoughts,my books became a trigger to them and I have stopped reading two months now,I tried to pick it up again but I'm not in the mood,I really miss it

Username: rose.n

Date posted: 15w ago

Need some encouragement

I’ve been spiraling for days I can barely sleep. I worked so hard to get into grad school and now i’m gonna fail because I can’t focus on anything else. The fact that my real events range from years ago and recently make me feel like I’ve always been a bad person. I keep trying to understand my intentions I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m looking into starting therapy and medication soon but I need some advice on some healthy coping skills in the meantime.

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I’m so frustrated

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