I’m scared that I’m unable to get better

I have had OCD the majority of my life and it’s been severe and disabling for year at a time before going in a brief remission then coming back. It’s always there When I was younger I hoped I could move past it but I can’t, it haunts me. I have had nearly every subtype. Everything is something for my OCD to latch on to and attack. I’m losing hope… What do I do? I’m not young anymore I can’t continue to rely on my aging parents. I don’t have a support system outside of my Dad really, but he shouldn’t have to shoulder my illness/issues. How do I cope? How do I continue living? This world isn’t built for someone who can’t seem to keep sane. When my OCD gets bad I feel I lose my awareness, I’m not delusional but it feels close I know this is a long post but I need advice. I feel like I’d live in a mental institution if I could

MichelleV

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Do you have access to/have you considered working with an OCD therapist?

Roseelane

Date posted: Yesterday

@MichelleV I have worked with one in the past but due to financial constraints I haven’t been able to keep up, I’ve been meaning to start again once I’m in a better place financially

genuinelytal...

Date posted: Yesterday

Yeah do you have access to a therapist to do ERP? I was suffering horribly. Daily panic attacks for months on end. I am becoming functional again after only 6 months of ERP therapy. I haven't had a panic attack in a while now. I thought I was just dealing with extreme anxiety and ptsd or something for years till I learned it was OCD. I too thought that one day I could go back to "normal" until I accepted that I truly do have OCD. My main type is health/somatic OCD, but like you said my ocd can attack anything that is important to me and on bad days I'll have constant intrusive thoughts of terrible things happening to myself or loved ones. It's really hard. But if you aren't already, plz look into therapy with an ocd trained specialist. It will help. I'm sorry you're struggling. I highly relate to the desire to just live in an institution. I've always felt comfortable in there and it's easier for me when other ppl make the schedule and tell me what to do. ☹️

Roseelane

Date posted: Yesterday

@genuinelytalented I’m not in the place financially at the moment unfortunately. I’m well aware of my OCD but my first therapist led me to believe I could one day lead a normal life and it could almost fully go away. That has not been the case for me though. I tend to be pretty reliant on meds to function at all. Thank you for understanding though, it’s helpful to know I’m not the only one struggling or wishing for an institution at times. They’re just so expensive though :/

Anonymous

Date posted: 21h

I’m sorry you’re going through this and aren’t able to get help due to financial reasons. Go on YouTube and start watching NOCD videos. Start watching hours and hours of content until you get the idea of how to manage this cruel thing we deal with. Once you get familiar with how to manage it, write down all your themes or subtypes of ocd. Rank them from least to most terrifying. Then begin to make a game plan on how your going to tackle the lower frightening ocd thoughts and over time work your way up to the bad stuff. But watch endless amounts of content until you really feel like you have a grip on what you need to do! Get mad at this, you have enough power to get through this and I believe in you. You’re so strong and resilient to make it this far in your life. You can do it!!!!

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond