What is your win this week, no matter how small or big?

I'm honestly struggling a lot lately. Continuous reassurance seeking and rumination, but today I choose not too. (Or at least in this moment). I'm trying my hardest. I really am. But I'm not going to lie, I'm struggling

yesterday i finally cried my eyes out. i finally needed to let the stress and anxiety i’ve been struggling with. woke up to a better day today. still have my moments when i’m struggling, but im ready to tackle my OCD once and for all 🥹

This week I finally opened up to my family about some of the tendencies I have. I’ve always been too embarrassed thinking my thoughts were “silly” or “stupid”. Finally admitting it aloud to people in my day to day was freeing in itself.

Completely forgetting about my 10/10 distressing OCD theme while hanging out with friends. I had an intrusive thought once but it didn’t cause anxiety and I just brushed it off like I feel a non-OCD person would do. 2 months into ERP and it definitely works

I struggle with urges to jump out of the car and this week I rode in the car a couple of miles!

A win I would like to celebrate for this week is not allowing the intrusive thoughts to take up space in my head or allow the fear to kick in. I simply acknowledged them and went on with my day. It feels so good to conquer fears, even if 1 small step at a time.

I decided to not figure the thoughts out and just let it be. It's tough but I'm doing it and I'm feeling happier because of it.

I have been doing ERP for a few months now. In retrospect, it feels like I have been pouring buckets of water on a wildfire, not always sure in the moments if I’m doing anything (p.s. I’ve learned I don’t need to be sure). Now, I step back and see the little fires here and there, but I can walk past some of them, feel the heat, might get a little burned, but rarely engulfed. One specific win: choosing not to double-triple-quadruple-etc. check my sons car seat installation

I did my therapy homework everyday this week!

First ERP session and it brought down my anxiety by 50%

I wanted to ask for resurrance from my bf so badly but I didn't.

My bf is going on a vacation with his friends tomorrow. I usually spiral with bad thoughts and scenarios, leading to arguments. But I have worked on reassuring myself from these false ideas because I know our relationship is strong.

I went to a job interview yesterday 🫶🏼 haven’t been able to work for two years because of OCD and chronic pain, but I think I’m ready now!

I think my biggest win is getting through this week. Sometimes I feel super guilty for letting my thoughts get the best of me and I feel like I’m not always present it’s so draining sometimes but I’m very hopeful for the future. Just taking it one day at a time.

I usually avoid the kitchen and I avoid getting up at night due to harm ocd. If I'm thirsty or need to use the bathroom I will wait until morning instead, but yesterday night I woke up at 3 am and went to the bathroom and then went to the kitchen to get some water with ice! I felt kinda proud of myself even if its such a easy task since I haven't done that in several months. I also got a 100% on a science quiz and felt happy!

I only checked once to see if the iron was off. Big step for me!

I went to class today. Presentation week.

i was able to hold back from doing a contamination compulsion that i always do :)

I have been having trouble with friends. Today i walked into my class that i have no friends in and took it. I didn’t give myself any distraction or go to the bathroom to skip class. Instead of that I tried to talk to the few people that i usually talk to out of that class. I ended up having an okay time. I’m proud of myself for having the guts so sit by myself and take it!

After cancelling my first wedding in 2022, I got married this past week after learning I was experiencing ROCD I learned tools to cope and I hope someone else sees this and it gives them hope!

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Haven't mentioned any of my thoughts to my fiance in about 3 or 4 days. Going to try to keep it this way. After realizing how hard it is for her to continually hear all of this, I'm aware I need to stop. I believe I can keep doing it.

I went to a support group for the first time even tho I was absolutely terrified because I think I may have social anxiety I had been in those groups for weeks and never went but now I’m glad I finally did

I had my 2nd Bronchoscopy yesterday. Before I arrived, I had a severe headache and nausea. The intake nurse took my blood pressure, temp and oxygen levels, they were all negative. Then after I got to the room where my bed was stationed the second nurse, the one that was caring for and prepping me, asked me to sit in the chair so she can take my vitals and talk to the anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist nurse came and talked to me. She asked many questions, and as I answered her my prep nurse said “do you get anxious?” I said yes, especially when I’m having a surgical procedure or surgery. They explained that it was natural for me to get nervous, many people do. To be safe the nurse did a finger prick to make sure that I wasn’t a diabetic. Everything was normal. I was embarrassed because I couldn’t believe that I was that anxious. I did tell them I hadn’t eaten since the evening before and I didn’t drink coffee that morning. I believe that was the culprit, especially the caffeine, because I do get headaches when I don’t drink coffee in the morning. Anyway the anesthesiologist said she could give me Tylenol and meds for nausea and I’ll be fine. I said ‘that sounds like a winner’ “plus with the sleepy meds that you’ll give me, I’ll be out and won’t feel a thing.” They all got a chuckle, so did I. I made it through the procedure and when I got released I headed down with the gentleman that was escorting me to the car- where my husband was waiting. I got into the car and my husband said, “what is that white stuff all over your face?” I looked in the mirror and it was white stucco looking big circles over my face. There it was the panic and the fear. But I stopped and thought about it, and told my husband that it was just poor bedside manners. The nurses didn’t bother to wipe off whatever it was on my face. The panic left and after arriving home, I washed and went to bed. I made it through my 2nd Bronchoscopy procedure, after 2 years cancellations. Now I’m a happy camper! Until next time…

I reached out for help last week. Been rough few days. But surrounded with family.

I have severe contamination OCD, and it's triggered by anything considered a 'sweet' (candy, fruit, scents, pastries, etc). I can't even handle something shaped like a fruit. It's Easter on Sunday. I sat in the same room as my mom while she stuffed eggs with candy. I only left after I could smell it. But, then I came back.

Feeling so much better after years of non stop intrusive thoughts… now I have been just letting them come and go and not making it into something. Now I just need to be ok with the time I wasted and tension headaches and pains

Coming down off of the culmination of a months long health OCD spiral and feeling hopeful for the first time in a while

Scheduling 3 sessions when I have only had 1 in 2 months, but am having a bad flare-up, and finally reaching out for help

This week my win was hanging out with a few people for the first time in a while. I pushed myself for some exposure and I’m really proud of myself even though it was scary.

Dealing with somatic/health anxiety and the fear and panic it caused. I finally realized in therapy I havent accepted my OCD and that’s my worst case scenario script to work on this week. I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel just barely, but I’m proud I have not given up because some days are brutally hard 😮‍💨

I am in a flare up again. Probably my second big one this year since TMS. I used to beat myself up a lot for having flare ups, but now I’m able to say that I just need to do my exposures and eventually the tunnel will show light again. The horrors persist, but so do I 🫡

Opened up about my feelings even though it was hard to express how I was feeling.

I printed out pickle stickers as part of an erp exercise!

I went to the doctors! I avoid going to the doctors at all costs from fears of being poked & prodded & also possible diagnoses. I went because I got bit by a dog & had to get a tetanus shot but the shot was not painful at all! I scheduled a physical for June while I was there. (which i’ve skipped the last 2 years from fear).

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I started journaling and figured out how to do it so i get my feelings out instead of just rehashing what happened throughout the day

I got tested and turns out I have severe ADHD with combined symptoms

I cleaned my room :)

a little late to the party here, but that’s because today I listened to my psychiatrist and called you guys! I’m a little nervous to try ERP, not sure how to conquer my own brain 😓 but I’m ready to start trying!

I got a new job today.

I was really hungry and wanted to go to a buffet, they had just opened too so it was as fresh as it could get. I drove over and realized that I was the first person which (in my head) means that all the employees would watch me eat and judge me. I was so worried what they would think of me along with MANY other thoughts so I left. I then told myself... "so what if they think I'm fat, so what if they make fun of me amongst themselves, it's a freaking buffet!! They see people come and go and grab multiple plates all day. Someone has to be the first person, I'm going to fight myself and do it." So I went back and walked in... turns out I wasn't the only one, a majority of the employees were grabbing food to eat before the rush came in. I even got to sit in the clear back so by the time I was ready for round 2, the place was starting to get packed with customers. It was also the best food I've had in a long time. This is one of the very first times I actually had gone against my thoughts instead of giving in and I won! Turns out it was NOTHING like I had played it out in my head to be and the employees were all super friendly and doing their own thing. I hate how much my brain makes me believe the worst things that could happen in a situation when it's highly unlikely to happen.

I am practicing mindfulness and understanding its importance 🧘‍♀️

I decided that I’m gonna try really hard to not reassure myself or ruminate today by using the phrase “thank you for your input but that’s irrelevant right now”

I finally told my parents about my OCD. It was extremely difficult but it helped me calm down a little bit

I ate at a Mexican restaurant with my family and the waiter stacked the plates to carry them all. My contamination ocd was overwhelming but I still ate some even tho I was shaking at dinner but I got through it.

Sought therapy as a therapist…

I came to terms with the fact that I seek reassurance in most areas of my life and this has reinforced a lot of my compulsions. I can’t make decisions big or small without someone else’s opinion and this has suffocated me for so long. I decided it’s time to accept this tendency and start taking back some control in my life and decision making.

I entered my house after dark (that has mice) and I did not perform a compulsion. There were tears, but I did it!

i had a panic attack from an uncomfortable thought and i was able to use my coping strategies to stop it

Consistent yoga even I don’t feel accomplished after a 15 minute session and know I tried my best , yoga helps my bpd and bipolar I also have ocd adhd and chronic anxiety n ptsd but yoga plays a big role in my mental health

I ran twice this weekend. That’s huge for me. And I have my first psychiatrist. Baby steps.

i scheduled and actually attended a meeting with one of my teachers about my missing work. school is a huge 'trigger' or rumination subject for me. it takes a lot to even open my school website. i talked to him about summer classes and forced myself to talk (i struggle with words when i'm anxious)!

i have a fear of allergy contamination (even tho i’m not allergic) I touched the same things that someone who had touched an allergen did. That’s a massive step for me and i’m proud

I went to bed without triple checking that I locked the back door I had already locked the door but I was sitting thinking if I actually did or not and I KNEW I did but I still wanted to get out of bed walk to the door and check again but I didnt I was anxious for a little bit but I went to sleep without getting up 5 times to check the door then not being able to sleep for another hour wondering if its actually locked or if I made it up and then checking again and see that its locked but having to unlock then relock it to be sure im so happy i think its a good step in the right direction even if its maybe not a super big one

In therapy, I'm finding language to describe my experience with this. How this affects and/or lives in me as an unique individual. Finding the right words is a compulsion for me so I'm also getting comfortable saying "I don't know"

I didn’t ask ANY questions yesterday! Win for me!

Recently, I had a fast intrusive thought interaction that I let pass without seeking the reassurance it’s beckoned!

I let an obsession that was trying to prove how unloved I am just sit there. I didn’t even let it ruin my sleep.

I've been practicing ERP nearly constantly, and also doing the actual practice using the app, and I feel myself growing stronger, my compulsive self-blaming and condemnation very slowly falling away. I'm doing better at trusting the process and embracing the PROGRESS, not expecting instant and permanent relief, recognizing and rejecting the lies OCD tells me while not fearing and fleeing the discomfort. I'm a poster child for someone a few steps into what will be a lifelong journey to mental and emotional health recovery. I'm glad I learned what mental or "pure" OCD is, and how it has persecuted me since I was about 12 years old and robbed me of my hope and attacked my faith and made me obsessed with my feelings and trying to escape them. The obsession is the compulsion! I lived in my head telling myself fantasy stories about how I am doomed one moment and Ive finally figured out what's wrong with me and I'm going to be perfectly happy now that I get it. What a horrible, head-snapping teeter-totter and spinning tornado of Hell I've been living more or less always for 50 years! Thank God for opening my eyes to the path of real healing here, for having the chance to absolve myself and see myself differently, not defined by what I've come to understand and accept as a mental illness. I'm not that guy!

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Hi Christy, sorry to go off topic, but if one wanted to pursue being an OCD therapist as a career, what kind of schooling, training, experience, etc. would be required?

I finally realized i needed therapy yesterday and i think im gonna take the leap and start calling around to see who can take me on as a new client

Started to do erp.

Not confessing to my boyfriend my intrusive thoughts one time when I really wanted to

Found work and tidying up again! Started meds and getting my last med from Walgreens today

I’m really late on this but, I just cleaned my room! It’s not perfectly tidy, but it’s cleanER and to me, that’s a win!

Realizing it’s not my fault!

I sat down and studied with a friend for my exam

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None

Posting on here

Hung some shirts in the closest “backwards” and even put an uneven amount of clothes on each side of the drying rack (despite there being an even amount overall)!

Gradually doing exposures. It is painful but I have been experiencing less panic surrounding the exposures even though it’s hard

Finally getting med for my severe anxiety and OCD

I was able to talk to my loved ones about how I was experiencing struggles this week which is quite big for me as I have a tough time talking about it

Not a win but a realization, it’s time to get medicated for my OCD.