How much longer

How much longer do I have to endure this? I've been seeing a talk therapist for over 2 years, and my specialist for nearly 6 months, and I've only made a small amount of progress. What is the magic to getting better? I feel like I'm just treading water. And just saying I need to do things that are uncomfortable isn't cutting it, or else I wouldn't be in the situation I am. Who knows the answer and can help me? Who has dealt with these feelings and can offer me guidance on what works? My life is passing me by and year after year I'm merely existing. I was excited when I took the first step and reached out to a therapist 2 years ago, and hoped that I would get better soon. I've continued to have hope and get excited with each new step, but I'm still waiting; >for these feelings to go away, >to gain my time back, >to have the ability to live in a clean home, >to see my family, >to live my life, and enjoy each day again. Why am I still imprisoned by this?

Username: Ranger_867Ranger_867

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20w ago

Hi friend. I’ve experienced a little uptick recently. So, I thought I would check things out. I just read your post. I’m sorry, dude! That sucks. Let’s be honest, this whole thing sucks. Besides therapy, are you doing anything else? Meds? Exercise? Supplements? Mindfulness? Meditation? Eating healthy? Etc… I’ve come to learn that therapy alone doesn’t get me to 70% better. Meds and therapy got me to 50% better and anything beyond that is completely up to my hard work.

Username: I'm > ocd 😳I'm > ocd 😳

Date posted: 20w ago

I do meditation a bit, but to be honest I have been recognizing that I need to carve time out to get back to it. I started meds about 2 months ago now, and increased the dosages about 12 days ago, up from the starting dose. I'm not sure I like the meds either, but I'm doing them. The make me feel in a fog sometimes, and I end up being on auto pilot while do things. It increases the potential for triggers, and I feel lazy about doing my compulsions, so it effectively makes it harder to do my compulsions. But skipping compulsions doesn't work, because the thoughts are still there. Now I have new thing to track and avoid. I am also taking supplements for vit D deficiency, as well as aa zinc supplement, and fish oil. Exercise actually sounds nice, but time has not been kind to allow me to do much. I struggle getting time in for my work. Eating healthy is a bit tough too, because my kitchen hasn't been functional for making meals in honestly years. I tend to order a pizza most nights, and that tends to be my meal for the day. I do have a pint of chocolate milk in the morning which helps me as something on my stomach in the early part of the day. I appreciate the suggestions and wish that I could have better results to share. It feels like everyone is getting the hang of managing their ocd, but I can't figure it out. Like if everyone has become expert swimmers and I'm flailing my arms and sinking. Thank you for your message. I like being able to talk on here with other people that can relate, because I feel like the rest of the world doesn't understand in the least. I keep hoping that talking to others with ocd will give me a eureka moment, and maybe it will, but yes, this whole thing sucks miserably. Thanks Ranger.

Username: Honeyshark Honeyshark

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20w ago

It’s really hard. OCD is really hard. I found that facing my fears wasn’t enough cuz of my responses to them. I needed to either 1. Respond with neutral (“maybe maybe not” “nobody knows”) or even excited responses (“I hope my boyfriend is cheating on me! I hope he’s having a threesome right now!”) 2. Self compassions statements “I’m enough. I’m good enough. This is hard.” 3. Call out OCD “OCD you lie and manipulate. You’re rude and mean and you’re never right” Those helped me a lot but I had to switch medications, switch ocd therapists, and stop doing my compulsions to give me more relief. Accepting our fears and bad feelings and thoughts doesn’t mean they’re true or a threat or real. it’s just how we stop OCD from having any power over us. You’ve got this. It’s really hard but you’ve made progress. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Username: I'm > ocd 😳I'm > ocd 😳

Date posted: 8w ago

It's been getting better since when I wrote this. Still tough times, and some days where it takes a lot just to avoid backsliding, but it's getting better.

Username: Amara Amara

Date posted: 8w ago

Hi, I found this post in the related posts section and read it. Then, I read the last comment. I'm glad you're getting better. Also, there are some things you should consider, as I noticed you're doing your best. Just try not to compare yourself with anyone because this journey is different for every person. Even though there are some members here who took years to recover. The important thing is that you may not see is that you should try not to resist. By not resisting, I mean just be aware that you're resisting this whole process. Also, when it comes to not doing compulsions, it's important not to review the intrusive thoughts in your mind and let the anxiety come up and allow it to pass. Writing down your thoughts is also helpful and helps you find the pattern of your thoughts too. When you experience any feelings or have any thoughts, try to write them down.

Username: llalala

Date posted: 21w ago

Does it get better?

I know I have had good days and even months, but I always have a relapse. I feel like I will never be “normal” or have a “normal” life. I am constantly lost in my compulsions. Every day I wake up and worry about what I did, what I felt, or what I thought. My family tells me to be stronger, but I am trying so hard. Does anyone else go through the same thing?

Username: hithereyoudo...

Date posted: 17w ago

same old, same old

i’ve made posts in the past regarding the same struggles and i haven’t found any relief. school has started and im managing my grades well enough; but im miserable, suffocating on my thoughts day in and day out with no one to turn to and nothing to numb the pain. my ocd is been preventing me from sleeping and i cant stop the thoughts. i’ve been on medications and tried different types of therapies but i feel so stuck. time is just dragging me along for the ride but i cant stop thinking about everything bad that has ever happened to me. i cant stop the intrusive thoughts. my fingers are raw from the compulsions and i genuinely dont know what to do anymore. i have no one and nothing; does anyone have any advice to dig yourself out of quicksand? how to return to the person you used to be and leave all of the struggles behind? to even get over it all?

Username: Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 17w ago

Progress

I’ve completed 11 sessions so far and I can honestly see progress. I’m not back to my “normal” self but I’m gaining parts of my life and my personality back. I never knew I had OCD. I always attributed things to anxiety. Being diagnosed let me know I’m not alone, I’m not crazy, and that there’s help for me. I have a long list of OCD subtypes. As you can imagine, the thoughts and images in my head were extremely distressing and I was concerned for my quality of life and my sanity. 11 sessions in and I’m able to watch shows and movies without being scared I’ll see a trigger, I can practice exposures and navigate through my obsessions better, and I’m finding joy in the little moments in life. I used to avoid so many things and people because I was scared I’d have intrusive thoughts. I still struggle with intrusive thoughts every single day. Some days and even weeks are bad and I struggle more than usual. I have mood swings, extreme irritability, and even sometimes experiencing depersonalization. Sometimes I just plain out feel uncomfortable and weird. But like my therapist said, progress is not linear. I’m learning to count my wins instead of always counting my losses. I’m learning to enjoy the little bits of life that are ok, and I feel proud when I get through hard moments. I’m excited for the future. I’m excited to see how much I progress. Sometimes I’m still scared but I know that’s my OCD trying to get me to quit because we both know this ERP therapy is helping. If you’re struggling, please seek help. It does get better. I wanted to quit after doing my first exposure. I’m so happy I didn’t. And on hard days when I want to give up, I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing to help myself.

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