New OCD diagnosis

Hi, I joined this app because I was recently diagnosed with OCD. I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD for seven years now, but now I also have this OCD diagnosis, and I don’t know how to determine my “type”, or what will help me. I ruminate on past mistakes, traumatic events, fear of a loved one dying suddenly, thinking about death/what happens when we die, and I am paranoid about people, even my friends, liking me to the point I’ll analyze past conversations and seek reassurance. My intrusive thoughts are the worst, though. I’ll think really vivid thoughts that have happened in the past or haven’t happened at all. The thoughts don’t go away and randomly pop up. Like, I imagine my stepmom calling me to tell me my dad died.. I imagine a shooting happening at my boyfriend’s office when I say goodbye to him in the morning, and then I cry like it is the last time I’ll see him. I imagine opening Netflix and seeing a documentary about a traumatic event I experienced involving an incarcerated loved one. It’s just a really scary, dark place to be in, and most days I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve read that pushing the thoughts away too hard make them come back more, but I don’t know how to, I guess, softly push them away? I love my therapist, I’ve made great progress with her. I’ve been doing EMDR therapy which has been helpful, but she hasn’t suggested ERP therapy yet. I honestly don’t know if I could handle ERP therapy, like I might re-traumatize myself. I just feel like my PTSD and OCD is tangled up, and it feels so complicated. I don’t know how to identify my OCD “type”, how to control my intrusive thoughts, or what kind of help I need. Anybody experienced this? Any help or advice at all?

Diastolic82

Date posted: 8h

I would definitely recommend getting into the erp therapy. I’ve been doing it the last few months and although it’s been incredibly difficult, I’m starting to see progress in my daily life. I can relate to a lot of the things your saying, so it’s hard work, but it helps

Anonymous

Date posted: 8h

Yes I’m very similar. Had it my whole life. Well as far back as possible. Don’t box yourself in what type you are. I’m a Christian I believe in god I believe we continue after what this is. I know a few people that had a NDEs. Now with thoughts. Your thoughts are not you you are the consciousness that observes the thoughts. Your brain is a thought producing machine you are the sky in the clouds are thoughts observe them, but do not interact. I have found that is the best way to deal with intrusive thoughts there are many ways you can cope with these if you want to know are you fimiliar with the philosophy of Tao ta chin. Lao Tsu. Look into it. You are not alone. You are not broken this shit is part of the human experience. I bet you live 90 percent of your life either in the future or past. You need to learn to be in the present. I bet if you are like me most of your worries never come true. I named my OCD “Bob”. Helps with separation Bob is a lair. I learn to live with him Go ahead and add anything. Does any of this ring true?

Anonymous

Date posted: 8h

You also need to drop the word control. You can only control one thing. How you respond to shit. That’s it. Once you realize this the better off you will be. Don’t focus on trying to be happy. That is an emotion. Focus on contentment. Stay off the social media. Most of it is an illusion that people put out to deal with their own issues. Let life just happen.

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