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i feel oddly calm with the thoughts, though they still stress me out a bit but a lot less. i almost feel too comfortable. i also feel doomed, like even if i recover i will be someone i don’t wanna be.. like it’s becoming more than ocd

I am feeling really triggered right now. My mind is going crazy with thoughts and urges to figure things out. Wondering if anyone has any ideas that will help me get out of my head.

My sweet sweet dog passed away today and I’ve noticed my OCD has been through the roof. Actually my husband noticed- he said what I’m doing is OCD related. I have felt the need to remember every moment with her in her last days with extreme clarity. (Which is something my OCD has fixated on) I am fixated on all the ways I messed up in the 10 years I had with her. I guess what I’m asking is- is this normal with fried and having OCD? I feel so lost.

I haven’t posted here in a while. I’ve been in ERP therapy and it’s been slow but I feel better, even though it’s only been a few months. The problem is, we’re starting slow because my trigger is sharp objects, and I think I made a mistake. The guy i’m seeing is at work and asked me to prep dinner by cutting the chicken and I thought even though i haven’t used a sharp object to cut meat in MONTHS, I thought I maybe could do it. Well, I cut the chicken and it was extremely thick, and made me have the worst intrusive thoughts. Did I mess up? I’m kind of freaking out. Did I get satisfaction from cutting into a thick meat? I’m scared

Hello! While I'm not a doctor, I've lived with OCD for 15 years and have explored many techniques to manage it. Through trial and error, I've discovered strategies that truly work. I'm eager to share this advice, hoping it can ease your struggle, especially in the early stages of treatment. Incorporating these tips can lead to immediate improvements in managing OCD. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. There's a supportive community ready to help, and with the right approach, fear and panic become manageable. OCD is treatable, and it's possible to reclaim your happiness and freedom. My OCD Management Recommendations Based on 15 Years of Experience 1. Seek Professional Help - It is a game-changer, trust me. Professional guidance can provide tailored strategies and support that are crucial for managing OCD effectively. 2. Sleep Well - Quality sleep is foundational for mental health. It helps in managing stress and improving overall well-being. 3. Eat Clean - A balanced diet can significantly affect your mental and physical health. Nutritious foods support brain function and emotional balance. 4. Exercise - Regular physical activity is beneficial for both body and mind. It helps in reducing anxiety and improving mood. 5. Engage Your Brain - Activities like reading books, playing chess, watching quality TV shows and movies, solving crosswords, and puzzles keep your mind engaged and can offer relief from obsessive thoughts. 6. Relax - Incorporate relaxation techniques into your routine. Visit wellness spas, get massages, and meditate. 7. Quit Caffeine - Completely eliminate caffeine from your diet. It can exacerbate anxiety and OCD symptoms, so avoiding it can lead to significant improvements in your mental health. 8. Let Go and Go with Life's Flow - These are just thoughts and emotions. They always come and go. Don't resist them. Don't do anything to push them away. Don't play the OCD game. Don't engage in OCD games in any way. Just simply let them be and let them pass. These are just thoughts and emotions. They always go away. They always pass. 9. Notice that OCD thoughts are synthetic thoughts. They are not your natural, real, or pure thoughts. These thoughts are synthetic, so don't engage with them, don't play this game, don't do anything for them. Just simply acknowledge them, don't do anything, just let them be and let them pass. No matter how you feel, just do your stuff and don't do anything about synthetic thoughts. This is how you will train your body and mind that you're not afraid of it, you can function with it, and OCD will simply lose its power.

Has anyone recently gotten married and was able to cope with their OCD through their engagement and actual wedding weekend? I’ve been doing great and just want to make sure I can handle the stress over the next few months and not ruin the weekend I’ve looked forward to for over a year. I feel some recent intrusive thoughts coming through that are “I am” statements which are new for me. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.

Had to rush to the cooler at work so I could be alone to cry and let it out. I can’t take it anymore. Something is terribly wrong and I’m so tired of telling myself it’s ocd when this feels too real and specific. How can I not accept the one thing that I desperately need it to be? And how do I deal with the real possibility that I very well AM that person? I don’t want to be but clearly that’s what it feels like. I’m so fucking sorry idk what to do about it.

When I look at my bf, I find him very cute etc but sometimes I dont feel anything… which I know is normal because you cant feel everything at every moment in your life… but the thing is everytime I think about us breaking up or him disappearing from my life, I feel like hes the “last” guy im ever gonna be with and then I’ll only be with women. Like whatttt?!?!? Whyyy?!

nothing feels real right now? and i’m not anxious when the intrusive thoughts come. does this mean i am okay with them? or i agree with them? it feels like im changing.. i don’t want this

I’m thinking thoughts 24/7, from wake to sleep, everyday, every moment. I don’t even get a one second break. It’s exhausting. What do I do? Is this normal? I want to be able to get out of my own head. I analyze and have thoughts about every action/event, every person, and every thought. And unfortunately there’s a set of traumas my brain makes me think about tons of times everyday. The only time I can stop thinking is when I’m super drunk (don’t worry, I’ve made sure to only do this like once or twice a month.) I’m not interested in trying medication, I’ve been on meds a few times and they never helped. Any advice?

Hey everyone! This post is lengthy, but I’m hoping some of you will indulge me! **Trigger warning because I’m unsure what condones one, and I go into detail with particular intrusive thoughts I have. None are graphic, but they’re descriptions of bad thoughts nonetheless. I’m completely new here, and haven’t been clinically diagnosed with OCD, nor have I even went to any sort of doctor because of it. I haven’t even looked into it as a prospect for my tendencies until around a year ago. Ever since delving deeper beyond the surface level knowledge of OCD, I feel like it explains all of my experiences. But, I’d like those who truly live with the disorder and professionals to tell me if this is something I should continue to pursue. Thank you all so much. ❤️ Some of what I experience: I often feel like if I don’t wear a certain outfit, don’t do something within x amount of seconds, or don’t triple check that my turned-off phone is recording me, etc. that my mom will stop loving me, my animals will get hurt, someone will be sent a bad recording of me talking, etc. I am fully aware that all of these things have zero true effect, but if I don’t comply with them, I start buzzing with anxiety. I’ve worn the same too-thoroughly-loved scrunchie on my wrist for almost 5 years because I feel unlovable to my family without it. For example: Earlier today, I was worried my very poor quality house camera caught me cursing, that my mom had watched the footage, and was absolutely furious with me UNLESS I pulled out my phone in the middle of a strict no-phones class and texted her a funny message. I knew she was driving when it was recorded, was busy at work, and overall, NEVER checked it unless it was someone outside our family. Nevertheless, I was almost sick with worry, and couldn’t talk to anyone for the rest of the period or focus, until I was able to pull out my phone. This worry, despite having indulged myself and received a positive response from my mother, stuck with me all throughout the day and completely killed my mood until I actually saw my mom was fine a few hours later. As for thoughts, I feel like I’ve experienced intrusive thoughts very frequently and for a very long time. I remember being kept awake as a kid with horrific “daydreams” of getting hurt with knives, hurting my dogs, etc. Everytime I’ve felt upset, nauseous, and worried that I was actually crazy for thinking these things. I recall once, at around age 6-7, absolutely breaking down sobbing because I was too scared to die, my parents were going to die, and my little sister was going to die without all three of us there. As I’ve gotten older, they’ve just progressed. Everytime I drive, I feel like there is always at least one thought of me swerving off the road, speeding up to rear-end someone, or just take my hands completely off the wheel. These things really freak me out, and have brought me to tears when I get lost in them. They have never once actually affected my driving, I always remain in control, but they deeply upset me. I think of teachers that I really enjoy hurting me and other students, even though the thought is sickening and absolutely impossible. I feel like a twisted person for it crossing my mind, and like it’s some Freudian evil within me, no matter how much I know it upsets me and how adverse I am to the mere prospect. My mind conjures up the literal worst, and it can easily kill my mood no matter how much fun or how happy I am at the moment, nor how fleeting. Sometimes, they get so terrible I’m unable to move on with my life until I do some strange mental exercise of me “throwing the thought into oblivion and burning it.” I have been riddled with nonsense guilt my entire life, and it’s so exhausting and depressing to carry. I know intrusive thoughts are intrusive, and I know so much of the habits I have affect nothing, but when these things cross my mind unprompted and I literally cannot help putting on a scrunchie that I think is so so ugly, I feel trapped and disgusting. Right now, I’m just looking to see if this is actually anything since I’ve been convinced all of this is just normal, until I once spoke casually of it with a friend who couldn’t relate at all. Thank you anyone and everyone who read this, and is trying to help steer me the right way. I appreciate it more than words!! ❤️🫶

Guys im so embarassed. And OCD makes it so much worse because it's giving me chronic guilt. I was at work and I made a joke about unaliving myself with a friend like really loud and I feel really guilty because it just kinda came out. My friends were laughing but I realize by some ppls reactions that mightve not been appropriate. I wasn't serious but I do make those jokes often with friends (unfortunate habit I've picked up due to my own s*icidality). My guilt is killing me and I have a strong urge to apologize to my coworkers. Should I or is it a compulsion and I should just leave it alone??

Hi NOCD! I've been working with a therapist through NOCD for a while, and have decided to post this to see if we can all help each other a little 😊. When your OCD gets really loud, but you no longer feel the urge to do a compulsion, but you're still left with that feeling of panic and distress, what do you do?

My girlfriend and I have been together for a long time and in the beginning my OCD was under control. Recently it’s been getting worse and worse and it has something new to hold on to. It holds on to her and being the best that I can be for her. And I never want to hurt her feelings and even when I don’t OCD tells me that maybe there is some way I messed up and eventually enough will be enough and I’ll lose the love of my life. She’s patient and understands OCD, can anyone tell me if they’ve had a similar experience and if they have been able to break the cycle?

Saw some messed up stuff scrolling on twitter and it’s making my ocd spiral im so scared so I deleted the app for my own well being

I just started Sertraline 25mg and some days I feel fine, like I’m actually making progress and then all of a sudden I feel intense anxiety , and it makes my obsessions intense. I’m on day 12 of my medication. Does it get better ?

How do you guys cope with taboo thoughts and not feel guilty especially when it attacks the people you love so much and you know a million percent that isn’t you. So why is this happening to me I’ve been through so much in my life and I can’t do with this. When I was younger I was molested and rape and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone so why does my mind do this to me please be kind as I don’t know how much longer I can take this

I've been working hard on managing my thoughts all week. It feels like each day i got weaker and weaker. To the point where I had to do the obsession. This is a frustrating cycle. I'm having one of those days where I would rather die.

[F20] As early as sixth grade, I've displayed symptoms of health anxiety/OCD. Every holiday breaks, when my mind isn't constantly stimulated and I'm stuck in the house, I find myself constantly fixated on a health issue. From heart failure, brain tumor, ALS, leukemia, everything. However, when school resumes and I'm once again occupied with academics, I don't fixate anymore (or at least very little only). But this year was different. We're barely eight weeks in 2024 but I've had multiple themes from schizophrenia trigerred by a Reddit post, cryptic pregnancy (btw im a virgin) trigerred by a delayed period, tetanus trigerred by doing my nails and once again, schizophrenia. During these times, I literally experience physical symptoms such as nausea & puking related to pregnancy, and jaw pain related to tetanus. But then, right now, I'm fixating on the thought that I may be developing schizophrenia. Two weeks ago, I was laying in bed when I think I saw a rat climbing on my bed side. I got spooked and when I was about to shoo it away, it's nowhere to be found. Less than 5 seconds in, my first thought was that was a hallucination. Decided to not dwell again on it until a similar thing happened days later. I was lying down in same position, when I thought I saw an ant in my bedside again. Memories of what happened prior flash back, and when I was about to look for it, it was genuinely gone. I was on the verge of a panic attack. I told my boyfriend about this but he said that it might really be difficult to look for that ant as my room was dark with only my night light on. Days later, it turned out there was a rat that my mom was trying to catch around the house and dead ants outside my room as my mom just sprayed on them. But I was still scared. Genuinely scared. Weeks have passed and I cant seem to shake the thought that I may be developing schizophrenia. In fact, it manifested to more visual pseudohallucinations. For example, I kept on mistaking things on my peripheral as bugs (as I read they're a common hallucination among people w schz). I've got intense eye floaters. Tiny movement from my peripheral, and my brain will try to perceive what is it and think that I'm hallucinating. I thought of my clothes hung at my door as a person. Tiny speck of dirt, I'd immediately think of as ants. In fact, I thought I saw a human shadow on our television turned out that it was the details of our door. For weeks, I've also been reading about this disorder and I think I've been manifesting their symptoms, policing my thought process, and reviewing my behavior. I've read that schz diagnozed are paranoid about stuff like being followed and watched, and all of a sudden, I'm thinking "What if I get those delusions?", "What if I'm being watched?" — and there goes that tiring cycle of overthinking. I've also noticed that most of them report of audio hallucination, and I just legit manifested it! I thought I heard my mom calling me from the living room! Oh my God. I've also been trying to contradict some symptoms. For example, I try to be expressive on my facial expressions as I read those diagnosed struggle with it. I've been tidying my space a lot lately as most schz patients often oversee them. I also been meticulous with my hygiene. I try to stay positive, and go out of the house, go to the gym, as diagnosed ppl often struggle with them. I continued doing some academic works since I'm on break, to see if I still have the same mental capacity. For the record, I'm an active student in our uni org, a dean's lister, and serves in my church. I'm in my final year of uni and the leader of my thesis group. To be honest, I'm scared. We're poor. We can barely afford treatment. I don't want this life. I'm only 20 — the prime years of my life. I've so much dreams. I want to have a job, move to an apartment in the city, hike mountains, ride a roller coaster, see my nieces and nephew grow up, surprise my parents with a trip to Italy, watch my friends succeed, see the world. I've only just experienced falling in love and to love. I hope to grow old, to love and be loved. And as I ponder on my current state, this is not the life that I want to lead. I don't to be my mind's own prisoner. I'm scared. And tired.

I just ended up confessing one of my real events to my girlfriend. I know I shouldn’t have (I haven’t confessed in so long 🥲) but today I finally failed. She literally laughed at it and thought it was funny. Even though I’ve been doomscrolling and in a state of terror all day. I know what I did wasn’t good, but her reaction kind of eased my anxiety. Classic mistake though, because now my brain is saying “You were finally allowed to confess something and you chose THAT instead of this much bigger thing?” I can literally feel my brain scanning for which of my reoccurring events to latch onto now :) Love this life. So fun.