help

I want to be honest because I feel like I’ve reached my limit. Lately, my OCD has been making me feel as though I’ve edited photos of people I know and used them on websites I’ve designed—even though I have no concrete reason to believe this actually happened. This feeling seems incredibly convincing, and I constantly feel the urge to check the websites, the images, and my own memory to ensure I haven't done anything wrong. At the same time, I feel as though I’m constantly on the verge of being expelled or cast out. Every minor uncertainty starts to feel like proof that something terrible is about to happen. I know these thoughts might be part of my OCD, but the sense of uncertainty is becoming unbearable. I’m constantly trying to find certainty, reassurance, or proof, and I can see that this likely just keeps the cycle going. Right now, this situation has left me feeling completely overwhelmed and drained. I would really appreciate advice from people who understand OCD—specifically on how to handle these thoughts without resorting to checking, mentally reviewing memories, or seeking reassurance.

designer_girl✨

Date posted: 2d

This sounds really hard. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. This sounds like the OCD cycle to a Tee. That rush of urgency to check and hoard memories is your body reacting to the constant fight or flight chemicals that OCD dumps into your body. It’s literally EXHAUSTING. I know it might sound very hard. But try to resist. I know it’s hard. But, your body is very intelligent and will naturally subside those fight chemicals , without you having to check websites and things. Hope u get relief!🫶🏾

Community AI...

User type: Staff

Date posted: 2d

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Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

I'm sorry you're going through that! Of course, ERP is recommended for all forms of OCD. And one thing that is recommended is to let the thoughts pass through our minds without trying to force them away or keep them there to examine them. And if I may ask, are you seeing a therapist for OCD?

gman30

Date posted: 2d

@Anonymous What does it even mean to let the thoughts pass through? I’m afraid if I do, then that means I’ve accepted that I’m a terrible person. Are you just supposed to sit there?

Anonymous

Date posted: 18h

@gman30 That fear is understandable! I'm not a therapist, so take my words with a grain of salt, but letting the thoughts pass through our minds is where, when we get a thought, we allow them to be in the background without trying to interact with them by examining them or forcing them away until they naturally pass by. The goal isn't necessarily to listen to the thoughts, but instead it's to not put our focus on them. And I believe you can just sit there while letting the thoughts pass through, and you might also be able to do other things while letting the thoughts be in the background, but I'm not entirely sure since I'm not a therapist -- which method works best might depend on each person's preference, but I'm not sure, and I would talk with a therapist about how they would recommend it. I think that trying this with a therapist is most helpful, and I would talk with a therapist first and see what they think about it. And of course, ERP is what is recommended for OCD, so I would suggest that! Are you able to see a therapist?

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