the anxiety is too much i can't keep still my chest hurts my heads full of thoughts im really struggling and don't know what else to do other than deep breathing and letting the anxiety be present
When I’m feeling extra anxious I try to distract myself by listening to a podcast (rather than music, because a podcast has all new sentences I haven’t heard before. Vs. a song with repetitive lyrics, so I can keep my brain thinking about the new story in the podcast), being in nature, with my pets, friends or family. I like to listen to my podcast and play a calming farm game on my phone at the same time so my brain can really focus on those two things rather than my worries.
@Lele66 thankyou i'll give the podcast a go
@NaggingOCD Goodluck!
Those periods of intense anxiety and racing thoughts can be extremely tough. And exhausting. While you're feeling this, try to watch the thoughts & sensations ebb & flow (notice those tiny fluctuations)! Noticing this can help you to bear in mind that no thought or feeling lasts forever (even though it sometimes feels like it will in the moment). As you notice the thoughts and sensations, label what you’re experiencing - "I'm having a thought about...." "I acknowledge I'm feeling...." This can help create a little space from it. If you’re struggling and need more assistance, remember that help is available. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at NOCD to find out how we can support you.
@Anna Dufford thankyou i don't think id be able to have help from nocd with the cost of it
I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this and have been there myself. With therapy and medication, I’m doing a lot better and I hope you can find some things that help. Sending you love 🫶🏻
@Anonymice i'm on sertraline and last had therapy a year ago just it's decided to show itself again
Does anyone else struggle with OCD when it comes to breathing? I've had this for about two years now on and off and finally had enough and came on here to say this. When I try to explain this to other people, therapists, etc. they just don't get it, so maybe someone on here does. I literally cannot stop thinking about my breathing and when it is at its worst, the very act of breathing feels incredibly uncomfortable. It feels like the walls are closing in on me, I constantly feel like I'm having to catch my breath, and I constantly feel the urge to take a giant, "complete" breath and that is the only way I feel comfortable. It's usually manageable during the day, but at night when I try to go to sleep it's awful because when my brain has nothing else to focus on it reverts to the breathing. People tell me to just stop thinking about it but I literally cannot. Can anyone else relate or am I all alone on this one
I don't know what to do anymore, the fear of psychosis and schizophrenia is so bad in so hyper aware of everything I hear and everything I see, I've always had eye floaters now I convince myself that it's really me hallucinating, I've always had tinnitus but now I'm convinced it means I'm going to go crazy soon, I can't sit in quiet because all I'm focusing on is what I'm hearing, and searching for any sounds I can't distinguish, when there's background noise I get so anxious if I think I heard something but im not sure I did or I'm just anxious, I'm terrified I'll start having delusions and sometimes my brain confuses some sounds for other sounds for example say I'm hyper focused and I breathe and my nose makes a whistling sound my mind interprets it as a scream and I freak out thinking I'm hallucinating only to focus closer and realize it's my own breathing, earlier I was so anxious that I couldnt tell if I had an intrusive thought or heard something, I don't know how to make it stop, I've been through this theme before I just forgot how hard it was I'm having a panic attack please help
im so scared that this is just denial and that im actuall gay. idk what to do anymore i need help. its just constant anxiety in my chest and i hate it. is there anything i can do to help?
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