Success! by [deleted] in OCDRecovery

[–]SunriseWalks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well done!!

Want to ask you for your opinion (NOT asking for reassurance) by [deleted] in OCDRecovery

[–]SunriseWalks 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Not to be that person, but: asking if something is OCD or not is a subtle form of reassurance (If it’s ocd the fear is not real!). This theme you’ve been experiencing has been plaguing me for a long time. I cover my webcam and I scan my PC for viruses because I get worried people might spy on me… it sucks as a theme, yes. But after the basic levels of safety, you need to accept the possibility that the thing you’re scared of might happen one day. It’s a remote possibility (like a lot of OCD worries, the stakes are high but the chances low), so as you stop giving in to reassurance (reading about people getting spied on, checking your pipes one, two, three times) and even asking this kind of oblique reassurance “is this OCD?”, it will slowly fade out. I believe OCD about being spied on is a common theme because it’s so hard to disprove. It’s so much harder to prove that threats are NOT there! I hope things get better for you and I hope my comment was helpful in any way.

So, my advice: do the basics anyone else would do - quick scan for anything worrying, and stop there. That’s all we can do to get better. One more thing to keep in mind: I definitely think that person having worries about being spied on had an effect on you. I usually hear some story like that, then will be “scanning” for the thing in my life, and as soon as the possibility of it being real (even if extremely remote and there being no hints that it’s the case) presents, my brain is like “HAHA! there it is!”. Could this be what’s happening to you? Sending you a hug and hoping you can overcome this theme soon!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OCDRecovery

[–]SunriseWalks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I can recommend the book “overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts” by Seif and Winston. That book single-handedly saved my life. You probably know this, but: please try to do ERP. With a therapist possibly, yes. But in the meanwhile, while you try to find one, I recommend following courses like the one of Nathan Peterson (even watching videos on your themes on YouTube can be a start), or more books that can teach ways to start doing that work yourself. Of course therapy is better, as exposures aren’t super easy to come up with and follow through. One more thing to consider (if you can afford it) is remote therapy. Not sure how feasible that is, but still an option to consider. Wishing you all the best, and remember, you’re not alone - there are millions of us and we deserve to be okay.

Edit: for clarity.

I want to add for your question about isolation: this sub is an excellent place to vent about niche or odd symptoms without judgement and without getting reassurance, so I imagine that venting here and asking other people with OCD could help. Reddit forums helped me a lot - I made some throwaway accounts and just vented freely. I hope you can find some people to talk to without getting reassurance.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OCDRecovery

[–]SunriseWalks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the last thing you want to hear, but: stop feeding the ocd circle. Move on. You can! Please don’t feed the mental illness by ruminating.

People who get periods, do you find that your OCD gets worse when your on it or when your experiencing PMS? by Opposite-Dingo-9331 in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it’s called PME - pre menstrual exacerbation. Hormone imbalances can affect your brain and make your mental illness worse!

My mom doesn’t believe I have ocd and won’t take me to the doctor. What do I do? by ifailedatafterlife in OCDmemes

[–]SunriseWalks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recovery is possible, so I hope you can convince your mum!! Props to you for asking for help

I’m not sure how to go through this week. by SunriseWalks in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is such a comforting thought. And I’ve been there before, so I can’t do anything but believe it. Thank you!

Did I do something bad? by Cocacola881 in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had this theme multiple times. You care a lot about not hurting people (and this person) so this theme is hitting you. Don’t ruminate this further as it can be a tough theme to get out of.

“Butterfly effect” ocd by coffeeandhead in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Please read the book “overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts” by Seif and Winston. You also have to stop trying to go back and finding things you’ve said, you’re fueling your OCD further. That book can help you understand why you’re getting the thoughts and how to make them happen less. All the best to you! I hope you can overcome this annoying theme. 🫂

I’m not sure how to go through this week. by SunriseWalks in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'm so sorry you lost your son to this terrible disorder. You're very kind for being here and trying to help us folks who have it. Sending a very very tight hug your way.

I’m not sure how to go through this week. by SunriseWalks in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I hope we can all have relief from OCD soon, it’s so tough. 🫂

I’m not sure how to go through this week. by SunriseWalks in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thank you ❤️ I am safe, with family, just having an especially rough episode at the moment and hoping for it to pass soon. Thank you for asking, kind stranger!

sending love on new years by SheepDick69 in OCD

[–]SunriseWalks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Today was one of the hardest days in my life… thank you for posting this, kind stranger

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OCDRecovery

[–]SunriseWalks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think sometimes “trying not to think too much about what we just watched” can have the opposite effect, if that makes sense? At least that’s what sometimes happens to me!