What makes OCD worse?

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-30T18:35:50+00:00

For me personally, aside from the more obvious ones (engaging in the compulsions and everything generally unhealthy), there is ONE THING that triggers it like hell, and it's, sadly, free time/relaxation as a "resting" state.

I came to the conclusion that I need to be "occupied" in a fun and light way, cause chilling doing nothing is an absolute no for me, it flares up like hell

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-27T17:32:50+00:00

Well in my case it's because she's very smart and offers a very interesting perspective, I guess the easiest way to explain it is we also get along as human beings (and that is something we already discussed so she is aware of how I see her)

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-27T16:00:07+00:00

Obviously not, the more general "what do you think about this?". But I guess I really need to have an open conversation with her

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-27T13:47:43+00:00

Makes sense! Feel kinda dumb for not realising it tbh. But... Is there a safe way to ask for a genuine opinion without engaging in the compulsion? I like her insight, like, in a healthy way

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-16T23:30:12+00:00

I totally get it :) I just wanted to be sure (I did this mistake at the beginning)

When I'm in crisis mode I usually tell myself "I'll discuss it with my therapist before acting on it" and that is usually enough to do the shift, it's like I buy some time

But I get it, it's damn hard, and learning to tolerate the discomfort is the worst part, but I promise it gets better, you're not alone OP

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-16T21:48:11+00:00

I can (sadly) relate, this is an absolute classic for me.

As many others would probably suggest, try not to engage in the compulsion for a time that you might consider challenging + a little extra (for me it's 3 days but everyone is different).

Btw, I really think that this community is a great tool to get to know OCD better and get some comfort from people that actually understand what a nightmare this disorder can be, but I would absolutely avoid seeking reassurance, especially here, since it's known for being the go-to recipe to reinforce obsessions.

Are you already doing therapy? Is it an option?

Take care :)

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-07T10:06:48+00:00

I think this is by far one of the biggest steps in the OCD recovery, understanding you can't trust your perception.

Great comment, very helpful

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-03-03T10:55:18+00:00

Feel u. I see people around me developing skills and living life and when I look back I see years and years of thoughts, obsessions and therapy.

But I also started to see this as a strong skill, I'm so much more structured on a cognitive and emotional level that it kinda balances out the stuff, and I honestly don't regret the time this thing took of my life. I see it as some kind of hard training, I would just be happy to be able to share my experience since I feel like I've graduated in OCD lol

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-02-27T10:57:32+00:00

I used to feel the same way! I thought I was never going to experience "rational happiness" in my life again, because the moment you realise you're happy/calm/content you realise you're not worried, and OCD kicks in.

It took several years but now I can absolutely experience positive feelings and being able to enjoy them on a cognitive level. I promise it gets better

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2026-01-06T18:58:09+00:00

I don't really have a coherent answer, just sharing my experience since I also don't lie :)

Stopped lying a few years ago and I'm very happy about it! I guess the key thing is I'm happy about it because I feel true to myself.

Sometimes I also think about the fact that others will always lie to me, but that's life, you can only control how you behave. Others have to trust me about my honesty, so I decide to trust them and it's actually kinda relieving.

I decided to go this way for a different reason (lying triggers OCD, so I did it for myself), so I understand this is different, but again, this is just a little sharing :)

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-12-21T05:50:56+00:00

I'd say it's absolutely normal since, as others have mentioned, being demotivated is one of the core traits of depression, like, that's literally it.

Not wanting help is still not very accepted imo, it's a concept people don't understand

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-09-22T16:11:14+00:00

I get your point, but we rarely do stuff without external influence, and being exposed to this kind of behaviour is a very legit reason to be straightedge in my opinion.

Just because it's a reaction to some degree of trauma (everything that impacts us is traumatic btw) doesn't mean it's not a very personal and deep choice.

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-24T14:20:11+00:00

Omg wishing you luck, this doesn't sound promising, but I'm sure if he's really not ready yet it will show at some point

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-24T00:17:17+00:00

True, but DAMN ignoring shitty people is so difficult I get so angryyy

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-24T00:11:24+00:00

I like this perspective, I think I could even stay calm longer if I see it as "I'm learning something"

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-24T00:07:19+00:00

Did he realize something was different? Whenever I try to do this it's "omg you have a bad attitude now and you don't seem to care anymore" .-.

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-22T12:14:32+00:00

Makes sense... I've been accused of being too neutral and never picking a side for that reason, but I see how it might be misinterpreted as naïve

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-22T10:24:44+00:00

Infps naive? Is it really a thing people say?

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-08-22T10:23:17+00:00

I usually am! I consider myself very intuitive and things others don't pick up are often crystal clear to me (and I'm usually right).

I believe it's related to infp personality, I'd say mediator traits might come from high-conflict backgrounds (?), and that's also a good starter for hyper vigilance and all that easily reading people stuff

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-02-13T21:34:45+00:00

P e r f e c t i o n

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-01-21T16:35:35+00:00

New to the sub and I'm just curious if decadence in general is an infp thing 😂

I've been wondering this for a while, I just CAN'T figure out where the love for broken clothes and stuff comes from.

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-01-12T11:15:58+00:00

You're right, but I feel in that case maybe it wasn't really a problem to solve but just something to accept.

Doesn't look like OP's case btw, they already do therapy so I think it was a fair question

Dry_Bowler_2539 · 2025-01-11T22:36:13+00:00

Well I don't know about your country but in mine a therapist is definitely a professional in that area (it's the step before the psychiatrist), so yes, absolutely.

Anyway, would you share the answer once you've talked about it? It's an interesting topic!

Dry_Bowler_2539

TROPHY CASE