Crook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 30w
Any somatic/sensorimotor OCD recovery stories?
I specifically have breathing. It always seems like no one posts recovery stories for this.
Lavender Fields!! Lavender Fie...
- Date posted
- 30w
It can come and go and that’s OK because it’s a normal bodily habit and you have to be OK with it and remember that it’s normal to think about it. Focus on it sometimes and then just let it go and move onto whatever else you were doing. That’s what I tell myself that’s normal. Also, you have to practice going in and out of it throughout the day to get used to it. 🙏❤️
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 30w
@Lavender Fields!! Thank you for the reply. Do you have any advice on how to let go or how to practice going in and out of it?
Lavender Fields!! Lavender Fie...
- Date posted
- 30w
My therapist said you don’t do it when you’re like I don’t like laying down taking a nap or going to sleep. You would do it during the day when you’re up and doing things. . Just be intentional about it and say OK I’m gonna go to it and think about it for a little bit and maybe observe it and then let go and move onto what you were doing before. For me what helps me is that I have a relationship with God and I know that I he loves me and that gives me confidence and hope for my life. I cannot do things on my own strength, but through the strength of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for me. 🙏❤️
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 30w
@Lavender Fields!! Thank you for that. So I assume all of this has helped you get better from this?
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 30w
Yes indeedy.
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 30w
What specifically are you wanting to know?
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 30w
@Nica I have been focused on my breathing for 2 months now. I have saw a bunch of posts online of people with this for a lot longer than that, but very few positive recovery stories. It makes me feel like cutting compulsions or trying to get better is pointless sometimes. For the record, my fear is that I won’t stop noticing, so I don’t quite understand how to get over that fear.
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 30w
@Crook To get over it, you basically have to stop focusing and then caring on the fact you might or might not ever stop focusing on it.
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 30w
@Nica Ok, I am a bit confused by this. If I am to stop focusing, how do I also stop caring that I might not ever stop focusing?
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 30w
@Crook You accept the fact you might always, somehow, in some way, notice you are breathing. Okay, so what? Not the end of the world. You get over somatic OCD by 1. Living with “maybe, maybe not” as a lifestyle change and therefore 2. whenever your OCD starts trying to get you to obsess or do compulsions or focus on breathing and all that it means, you do the opposite—you don’t give in and you go do something more fun or productive. You focus on the present moment, whatever you’re doing at the time before OCD started to act up. So, if you were washing dishes and then it decided to focus on your breath, you do not stop what you’re doing and you continue to wash dishes. You are practicing mindfulness—you are not running with the thoughts and away from the present activity.
୨ৎ ୨ৎ
- Date posted
- 30w
i had this theme since i was 9. transitioned from breathing to swallowing. this theme is not really talked about, as i have asked before myself. would also love to know any recoveries!
CrookCrook
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 30w
@ ♥︎︎ Has it been constant for you, or does to come and go? Have you tried ERP?
୨ৎ ୨ৎ
- Date posted
- 30w
@Crook i have not tried ERP, but i would love to! it comes and goes. my breathing checking is bad if i’ve done exercises/workouts, or if my anxiety is very high
Lavender Fields!! Lavender Fie...
- Date posted
- 29w
Yes
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