- Date posted
- 35w
Does anyone struggle with Somatic OCD?
I’ve been struggling with this for the part year and it’s been horrible I hate my life and I feel like nothing works , please help or feel free to share tips or your own story
I’ve been struggling with this for the part year and it’s been horrible I hate my life and I feel like nothing works , please help or feel free to share tips or your own story
I don’t have somatic OCD, but I understand your pain and I truly hope things turn around for you. Just know that this is just a small bump in the road, and it won’t last forever. If you aren’t currently seeing a therapist, I think it would be best to start that. If you aren’t currently, great job on taking that step. With the right support and effort, you’ll move forward. It takes a lot of dedication and patience, but I’ve been there and it’s so worth it. You’ve got this and I’m rooting for you!!!!💗💗💗
@Anonymous I meant if you are currently seeing a therapist, good job***
Some things I’ve picked up in my journey as it may relate to somatic ocd and/or body sensations: The heart knows how to pump blood throughout the body, the lungs know how much air to breathe in & out, the stomach knows how to process nourishment, the eye lids know how & when to blink, the scalp/face have muscles & blood vessels that pulsate. So I’ve learned (and through practice) to let them all do their jobs without having to interfere. This while accepting the uncertainty and discomfort. Hope this helps you.
Learn to be OK with it and realize it’s normal bodily process that you don’t have to control, try to make sense out of or do a compulsion with it.
In particular to Breathing ocd
I’m having a big OCD relapse and would like to hear anyone’s tips on how to be present and healthily deal with these intrusive thoughts and the “need” to preform compulsions. Thank you!!
I started dealing with OCD when I became fixated on health issues, particularly the fear of contracting a life-threatening disease. If I experienced any kind of medical symptom, no matter how small, that even remotely hinted at something potentially fatal, it would drive me crazy, and I couldn’t stop obsessing over it. Then one day, I started having intrusive thoughts about accidentally hitting someone with my car, and I would end up driving in circles to check if I had. Eventually, I found myself overwhelmed by a flood of new obsessive thoughts and compulsions. One day, while I was at the park, a squirrel came near me, and for some reason, I felt like it attacked me. I Googled it and learned that squirrels could carry rabies, which spiraled me into a deep fear of rabies. I became consumed with the thought I received a bite from a squirrel, raccoon, or bat any time I’m in areas that trigger me. It started off only being inside then transferred to even being in my own home. This made me obsess over every physical sensation in my body, compulsively checking to make sure nothing was wrong. One compulsion that I hated the most would to be putting rubbing alcohol on me to make sure that I had no open wounds. Every day feels like I’m walking around in a fog of anxiety, constantly worrying that I won’t even make it to old age. Sometimes, it gets so overwhelming that I just want it all to end. It stresses me so bad at times to where my brain feels like I’ve been studying all day.
Recently, I’ve been struggling a ton with what I eat/put into my body? I’m a first year college student with a few different health issues (including IBS), and lately it’s been hard for me to find food on campus that doesn’t upset my stomach. I also have pretty severe emetophobia, and feel extremely anxious when I feel sick. The ironic thing is that being anxious makes me feel even worse, so I end up sticking myself in an impossible loophole. My OCD has taken hold of these fears over the past few months, and it’s been such a struggle. Especially since people have been getting food poisoning from various dining halls on my campus lately. My OCD has gotten so bad that sometimes I’m too afraid to eat food other than what I buy myself. I feel so trapped. I don’t want my OCD to affect my physical health or prevent me from eating, bc I love eating!! It’s the fear of getting sick that’s the problem. And it’s even harder when everything is so unfamiliar. Just wondering if anyone could relate. Advice is appreciated!
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