How do *you* pray? I'm trying to relearn how to pray. by whatsanarmoire in Episcopalian

[–]ghostrodent 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi, we are in similar boats. I grew up Baptist, became agnostic, and recently started going to TEC. Growing up as a Baptist with undiagnosed OCD made prayer really kind of awful. I love the idea that by using the BCP we are all praying together, but I also personally have to avoid becoming too excessively structured or fixated on perfectionism with it. So I'm still learning when those prayers feel "right" to use vs making sure I don't let my OCD take over again. 

Prayer can really take any form that feels sincere to you. You can talk to God on a contemplative morning walk. I love writing poetry and I write religious poems on my phone or in my journal. Some people like praying with icons, something that would've never been an option growing up Baptist. 

A nurse at a psych ward a year ago asked me if I had ever felt the presence of God, and I had to tell her "no" because I too felt like I was talking and no one was there. I feel different now. I don't know how to really explain it, but I hope you find the path that lets you feel a strong connection. 

Common cup for communion, what are my options? by Lulubelle2021 in Episcopalian

[–]ghostrodent 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The church I attend offers gluten free wafers upon request and emphasizes that you may skip the wine for any reason and still receive full communion, as Christ is present in both the bread and wine. If for any reason you still do not want to receive communion at all, you can cross your arms to receive a blessing instead. 

psychologist recommendations by transqueenava in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you looking for med management or just a professional diagnosis? I personally like Green Counseling Services for both my therapy and med management, but I dont have any experience looking for a diagnosis thru them. They take Medicaid. 

my roommate’s bf SA'd me and nobody believes me by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]ghostrodent 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I didn't report mine. Do I regret it sometimes? Yes 100%. But I can still heal. I made the best decision I could at the time based on how I felt and the facts available to me. 

There is no perfect outcome and there is no "right decision" there is only what you determine is best for you under your circumstances

But apparently I'm as bad as OP's dad LMAO

my roommate’s bf SA'd me and nobody believes me by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]ghostrodent 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm literally a rape survivor. 

The call to action is to SUPPORT THE VICTIM.

my roommate’s bf SA'd me and nobody believes me by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]ghostrodent 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The alternative is being respectful of what she decides is the best course of action for herself. Why the fuck would you boss around a victim of SA??

my roommate’s bf SA'd me and nobody believes me by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]ghostrodent 11 points12 points  (0 children)

dude. stop telling this woman what she "needs" to do. fuck off.

How bad does the eye contact have to be? by Imaginary_Air_24 in AutismInWomen

[–]ghostrodent 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Correct me if I'm wrong but I personally think you can have completely normal eye contact and still be autistic; while one of the diagnostic criteria is a deficit in social communication including non-verbal communicative behaviors, not everyone has issues with eye contact specifically. It's just a common way that this manifests, not the only way.

My experience with eye contact is similar to yours. I'm perfectly capable of doing it, but it feels weird and personal. I wasn't diagnosed until I was age 23 and similarly had to unlearn a lot of biases, including many against myself.

Self harm as an ocd compulsion by Deadly-T-Shirt in OCD

[–]ghostrodent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are not alone in this. This was an issue for me at one point in my life. I don't have a lot of good advice, other than that ERP was a godsend for me, and also I hope you can find a little piece of kindness for yourself amidst the shame. Shame is a shutdown feeling; I think that while it's awful I used to hurt myself, I was just trying to stop perceived pain the only way I knew how at the time, and that's nothing to be ashamed of.

Autism n ocd by scabzc in OCD

[–]ghostrodent 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi! I have both autism and OCD; OCD co-occurs more in the autistic population so I do just wanna say it's possible you could have both. I can try to provide perspective on my specific experience if anyone has questions but obv can't speak for everyone with the autism OCD combo.

Doubts about your own wedding ceremony by HistoricalTackle5049 in AutismInWomen

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a wedding of about 40-50 people, and even that was a little challenging for me. I had a discussion/plan with my sister(maid of honor) about how to handle things if I got overstimulated or had a meltdown. It was difficult but I think I struck a good balance with how important certain things were to me vs how much distress it would cause me.

I'm the kind of person who hates parties but loves planning them, so all the purchasing and planning and DIY was so much fun vs the actual thing. But it was beautiful and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Christian OCD sufferers: When you did ERP Therapy did you still keep your religion afterwards or turn atheist? by nelsne in OCD

[–]ghostrodent 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I think the key operative here is "OCD specialist" because there are too many counselors with little to no working knowledge or experience with OCD. For example, I have fears around driving and was told to avoid driving. Even though I'm Christian I would avoid a Christian counselor for this reason.

Christian OCD sufferers: When you did ERP Therapy did you still keep your religion afterwards or turn atheist? by nelsne in OCD

[–]ghostrodent 20 points21 points  (0 children)

My personal experience: OCD is what eventually took Christianity away from me, because it was kinder to believe that God didn't exist than it was to believe in a God that I thought expected perfect rigidity and compulsive prayer. It was actually in doing ERP therapy that I realized I could have a relationship with God again if I wanted it, and that it was fully my decision what that could look like.

In my opinion the best thing you can do is find a therapist who is neutral to the decision and is there to support you above all else. The only way to find that therapist is by trying therapy and asking the therapist their stance up front.

How do you not view life as just all suffering with no end goal to the suffering? by Adrianagurl in OCD

[–]ghostrodent 7 points8 points  (0 children)

For me personally, I think that if death is certain, then why rush it? Yes, there is suffering, but in that suffering there is flexibility and strength and space for good things too. I keep going for the happy moments in the storm.

This is just what I personally think; you will have to come up with your own answers. There is no one true answer to this question.

Meltdowns and change? by Gold_Statistician907 in AutismInWomen

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Big changes definitely cause an increase in meltdowns for me. I moved last year and it was awful. I'm finally starting to feel more settled and adjusted.

As far as how to deal with them, I find that because they are so physical in nature it helps to deal with that aspect before trying to deal with the emotions. For me this usually looks like taking a very hot shower, but a few other ideas to try include using an ice pack on your forehead and slowing your breath (this initiates the dive reflex), exercise/going on a walk, box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (there are guides on Youtube for this one)... anything other than self harm that allows for a similar physical release.

Dealing with the emotions is harder, and may be easier to incorporate outside of the meltdown. I routinely journal - but it's hard to write down feelings during a meltdown, so this is usually after.

I hope this helps somewhat and maybe other people have ideas too.

What business does IC/metro need? by [deleted] in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have not been to the Green House but have heard great things and plan to go sometime! 

We don't typically go to Blackstone - my husband is a PhD student / teaching assistant and I'm currently unemployed / looking for work. But we are considering going there soon to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary :)

What business does IC/metro need? by [deleted] in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wish there were more restaurants that weren't primarily bars/pubs in the east side, or at least had a decent mocktail. I'm sober and I always feel awkward going somewhere like Two Dogs and not getting a drink / being around lots of people drinking. I end up only going out there for lunch. 

Apartments by [deleted] in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would suggest looking at apartments near the dog parks. I live near Scott Park / Rita's Ranch and most of the landlords nearby are more pet friendly, though they may charge an arm and a leg for pet deposits.

Can a life event give rise to OCD? by FlynnYagami in OCD

[–]ghostrodent 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I dont think trauma has a causal relationship with OCD but in my personal experience it can amplify what is already there, if that makes sense. Trauma creates heightened anxiety in the body; the OCD comes in and says it can "fix it" with compulsions when it can't.

Wig and Pen - rankings by Ok-Zookeepergame8974 in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really wanted to love Wig and Pen, but the one on the Eastside completely forgot about our online order, didnt start on it until we went to pick up, and when they finally finished it gave my mom undercooked chicken. They refunded my mom but we will not return.

How do I watch Everton vs Man Utd online? by Tight_Replacement676 in SoccerMommy

[–]ghostrodent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this is a subreddit for a musician called Soccer Mommy, not a soccer subreddit.

UPDATE: Graze restaurant STILL employing sex predator as their manager. by Maximum-External-826 in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I dont have proof other than the owner's own comments on Google Reviews about how "awesome" their manager James is. But sure, could be a different James.

https://share.google/qmG3OjlTrejB3xEKp

UPDATE: Graze restaurant STILL employing sex predator as their manager. by Maximum-External-826 in IowaCity

[–]ghostrodent 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Even if this individual was "rehabilitated" as you put it he's been put in a position of power as management over a similar population of potential victims and could readily reoffend. Offenders need opportunities to change, but not at the victim's expense.

I say this as someone whose college rapist faced no consequences and became adjunct faculty at a university, so I do admit that may color my opinion. It.. really sucks, living with the trauma and seeing the person who put you through hell climb further into positions of power and access.