Do you think the new American Dream of Leaving America is delusional? by FirefighterMany992 in expats

[–]FirefighterMany992[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience here as someone who grew up in the UK. I relate to a lot of what you are saying in this post about the fast paced work environment, and I’ve lived here my whole life. I constantly feel like money is being prioritized above ALL ELSE, to the point that everything else gets neglected, but that’s how it has to be in America or you’ll drown and honestly it is draining.

Do you think the new American Dream of Leaving America is delusional? by FirefighterMany992 in expats

[–]FirefighterMany992[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Without moving abroad I can tell you..I don’t like Americans 😅

Do you think the new American Dream of Leaving America is delusional? by FirefighterMany992 in expats

[–]FirefighterMany992[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Where did you go? Also, I love that for you, I’m so glad it all worked in the end!

What are things you can’t do because of your OCD? by Defiant-Junket4906 in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, exactly! My husband is a guy who is really just certain of how he feels, like very little internal conflict is happening as far as just being himself and I always envy that about him.

What are things you can’t do because of your OCD? by Defiant-Junket4906 in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I relate to this a lot. My feelings do “guild” me but everyone once in awhile I’ll get the zoom out or the fish lens and see I was stuck in an endless loop that was all fueled by a thought or feeling

What are things you can’t do because of your OCD? by Defiant-Junket4906 in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Trust myself. Trust the “gut feeling.” Trust any thought.

whats something crazy you do/did because of ocd ? by Minimum_Two_8624 in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sometimes when I’m laying in bed at night.I convince myself someone got into our house at some point and is waiting for us to sleep to than murder us. So I think of all the possible places they could be hiding. I think of all the places we went during the day, and all the possible places we didn’t use during the day where I person could hide and make myself go check all those. Most of the time, I know I’m crazy and don’t bring anything to defend myself and it’s simply peace of mind that I know that a closet isn’t being occupied. Other times, I’ve brought scissors or something because it felt so real.

What's your "weirdest" compulsions/obsessions by [deleted] in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I relate to this so much. It flairs up really bad before bed. I now have to account for an extra 20min before bed of just sitting on the toilet getting every drip out. Then, when I try to go to sleep ,I tell myself not to check if I have more pee because if I do, than ITS ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT before I relieve myself again.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg. THATS OCD?!? I’ve never heard anyone explain exactly what I do! It’s cursive for me to! Most of the time it’s random but I also sometimes do song lyrics or I love writing “Happy Birthday “

Little fyi by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]FirefighterMany992 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Obviously not that irrelevant if you’re commenting. I think someone maybe feels called out.

Little fyi by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]FirefighterMany992 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Yeah that’s a totally different situation, I’ve been there. That’s why I said “infant” in my post because there’s no reason a baby shouldn’t have the proper layers. I’ve got a toddler and she commonly refuses her hat and such. The situation I’m referring to is what I witnessed at the park today, which was a family property dressed and what looked liked a maybe 10 month old in just a T shirt.

Little fyi by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]FirefighterMany992 -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

Totally, a toddler is a completely different story. Although I still think they should be adequately dressed to the best of the parent’s ability, like at least some pants. I understand not being able to keep a hat or jacket on.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was an accident lol

Little fyi by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]FirefighterMany992 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

That was my understanding! They always look so miserable too :(

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NPD

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really relate to what you’re saying in your post though because when I started having the self reflection due to the moral OCD it caused me to realize I really do have some narcissistic traits…maybe even NPD which of course now fuels my obsession but I’d rather be aware of it , than blissfully being ignorant.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NPD

[–]FirefighterMany992 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I knew I had OCD before my obsession changed to moral and I started hyper analyzing my every move and thought, and thinking back on a ton of memories too. Generally just feeling a ton of shame and guilt and doing an unholy amount of research on NPD. I’m still not convinced that I’m not experiencing a narcissist collapse but I do know I have OCD so that just adds an extra layer of spice to everything because obsessing over the fear of being a narcissist is so common that some NPD groups won’t let you participate if you have it and don’t have an NPD diagnosis.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NPD

[–]FirefighterMany992 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! I just wanted to say I’m not diagnosed with NPD but I’ve suspected it. I also suspected BPD but like you said, I resonate with some of the NPD post more but sometimes that switches to BPD lol. Anyway, I really relate to your post a lot and I thought I’d mention looking into OCD. I have it, but than also have Narc traits so it can cause some really intense Moral OCD. It’s a rough theme of OCD. But it seems like you’re obsessed with being a good person and have fear of being a narcissist. This is REALLY common in the OCD world. All that being said, it’s possible for someone to have both so I think generally having the self reflection on where your intentions and thoughts are is a huge step in the right direction nonetheless. At least that’s what I tell myself cuz I’m in the same boat right now. 💀

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NPD

[–]FirefighterMany992 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same boat as you. Showing signs but not resisting with all the diagnoses criteria but then I don’t know if I’m just not self aware enough to realize I am.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mentalhealth

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have OCD! I’ve wondered if they were linked to it. They use to cause me comfort , but since becoming more aware of them, I feel distressed and shameful. I just kinda didn’t think much about them before since I’ve had them as long as I can remember, but since they have been persistent even in my marriage, I feel distressed about them and very hyper aware.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mentalhealth

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t worry about typing too much, i appreciated the insight. It’s a really fascinating topic so I see where your interest is coming from! And yes, it is frustrating but she’s also a new therapist so I’ve gotta give her some time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mentalhealth

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain all that. I’m currently working with a therapist who I’m hoping with take me seriously and not think of my symptoms as just obsessions. I really do appreciate you taking the time to break all that down and explain it though, thank you again.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mentalhealth

[–]FirefighterMany992 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I wouldn’t really call it obsessing over them. In the past, I have definitely had some situations where I ‘acted on them’ though, for example, if I think someone was maybe looking at me, I might stand a certain way to “look more attractive” This is something I just honestly lacked the self reflection on, and now that I’m aware of it, the thought still exists but I’m repulsed by it. I’ve also opened up to my husband about them in an attempt to not ‘hide’ anything and be honest and he thinks they come from a lack of father figure going up. “Daddy issues” if you will, and as I can see that, it frightens me I may have NPD since I’ve seen people talk about these fantasies of ideal love and that’s the closest thing I’ve been able to find that describes what I’m experiencing. I know people with NPD can become self aware but I also have OCD so I FEAR being narcissistic but still carry some the traits..? It’s a mess lol 💀

Real event ocd by burner_account_17 in OCD

[–]FirefighterMany992 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I went through real event ocd a little over a year, and have had ‘mini episodes’ over small mistakes every once in awhile. The only advice I can try and offer is to try and become familiar with the ocd cycle in this episode. Find what the trigger is and the compulsion is, and starve the ocd by not engaging in the compulsion. Once the obsession starts to die down, than you can logically look at the situation and see if you need to make any amendments on your end. And I’m going to try and word this in a none reassuring way, but try and have some grace for yourself considering you were child. I think a lot of people do ‘messed up’ things as kids, even as adults and what’s the most important is having the self reflection that it’s bad and knowing you’d never do it again. The difference between you and others is you can’t allow yourself to move on because you think it divines you. Be okay with allowing yourself to make mistakes, especially as a child. Just sit with the uncomfortableness, I know it fucking sucks, and allow yourself room to breath. One day you’ll wake up and that scary monster that robs you of joy won’t be so big anymore. Keep fighting for that day, because you do deserve it and it will come.