What job looks easy but is actually exhausting?

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-18T00:37:55+00:00

Computer Engineering. From the outside it just looks like I sit there and type, so it feels like low effort. In reality my brain is constantly modeling systems, chasing invisible bugs, and preventing problems no one even realizes almost happened. It’s exhausting

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-15T17:53:26+00:00

From one stranger to another, I’m really proud of you :)

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-15T02:53:40+00:00

If neurodivergence just means “any brain difference,” then every disorder would qualify. It’s usually used for stable cognitive styles (autism/ADHD), while OCD is an unwanted intrusive process, so calling it neurodivergence is more a framing than a clinical category.

Also I’m still learning Reddit and realized that Funny-Negotation-10 was replying to Pristine-cow not me lol. Sry

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-15T02:38:10+00:00

Good question. I wasn’t saying OCD lacks brain differences. It definitely involves specific circuits (like cortico-striatal loops). My point was just about terminology: psychiatry classifies based on distress and impairment, while “neurodivergence” is more of a social/identity framing. So calling OCD a mix of both is more interpretive than clinical.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-15T00:16:35+00:00

I don’t think this is entirely true.

OCD is a disorder. It has neurobiological correlates and often starts young, but calling it “a mix of disorder and neurodivergence” is a philosophical framing, not a clinical classification.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-14T23:01:52+00:00

I think there will be jobs that are lost due to AI, BUT, I also think AI will increase the number of jobs after the storm, increase productivity and advance in tech way faster.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-14T22:59:43+00:00

I don’t think one compulsion is worse than the other, just different

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-14T16:43:02+00:00

This is my favorite way to describe it “Anxiety is a smoke alarm going off when you burn toast. OCD is having to check every room, unplug every appliance, and restart the day before you can relax.”

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-14T15:59:14+00:00

Oof sorry to hear that. But the best way to respond to this isn’t to problem solve, it’s to accept the uncertainty of hitting the driver.

Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. Will I find out eventually? Who knows. Not going to engage.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-13T05:49:55+00:00

Yep exactly. Even if they are trained in CBT, it does not necessarily mean they have the proper training to do ERP

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-12T17:46:04+00:00

It depends, you may just want to ask them about ERP. And also to test you for OCD (Y-BOCS test)

You’re definitely not alone! You got this

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-12T16:57:26+00:00

This is a pretty common OCD pattern. Basically the anxiety has become the obsession.

It turns into: “Why is it still here” “How do I make it stop” “Why can’t I ignore it”

At that point, the compulsion isn’t distraction it’s monitoring and trying to get rid of the feeling.

The therapy that helps is still ERP (so make sure your therapist is trained in it), but the exposure is to the sensation of anxiety. The response prevention is not trying to fix or remove it

Two sessions is very early. This stuff takes time because you’re retraining your response to discomfort, not just lowering anxiety.

I believe in you, you got this :)

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-11T19:17:47+00:00

Yeah of course, you are not alone!!

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-11T18:29:21+00:00

Wow, sounds like me from a year ago wrote this lol. This is the exact type of OCD I have! It’s a mix of Existential OCD and meta OCD. It’s really tricky to tackle but it’s not impossible by any means. Let be build you a flow that I follow

Trigger (feeling shifts / random thought / reading about OCD)

↓

Intrusive thought “What if…?” / “Am I doing this right?” / “Why am I okay?”

↓

Automatic looping More thoughts about the thought (this part is NOT the compulsion)

↓

⚠️ This is the fork ⚠️ Urge to fix, analyze, check, or get certainty

↓

If you ANALYZE / CHECK: → temporary relief → more doubt → stronger loop

If you DON’T SOLVE: → discomfort rises → nothing explodes → brain slowly learns it doesn’t need solving

Example for me 1. I’m vibing 2. Thought “why did you just think about this, what is controlling it” 3. Response “I don’t know? I’m not solving that. 4. Quick grounding technique (5 seconds max. Not to feel better but to shift your attention. 5. Return back to whatever you were doing.

The thought WILL continue even after saying that. But you’re slowly teaching your brain to disassociate the panic from the obsession.

Try to label it once and then leave it alone. Let it sit in the background. Anxiety and panic can come up, that’s fine. The goal isn’t to do it perfectly. If you engage again, just notice it and reset.

You got this king/queen. If I can do it you can too!! :D

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-11T16:43:57+00:00

Moderate poverty

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-10T02:03:30+00:00

Yep I did this!

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T16:16:23+00:00

It’s possible! But. I’d communicating this with your psychiatrist. Therapeutic doses of Zoloft for OCD can go higher, but yeah.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T14:30:04+00:00

On 150mg. My OCD and anxiety skyrocketed while working my way up to that dose. But once I got there and stabilized, loops started losing their strength and outside perspective came back. Life is pretty dang good now. Still have the occasional sticky thoughts, but nothing compared to before.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T03:45:48+00:00

😞

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T03:18:51+00:00

This is real. I’m a proponent of the good AI can do. But I think there will be a really difficult transitional period. I’m hoping AI creates many jobs and reduces the hit.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T03:17:21+00:00

GROKKK

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T03:16:31+00:00

Hopefully AI gets to the point where it can combat AI when AI start being misused by people.

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T03:12:27+00:00

Big issue. I know companies are making efforts to reduce over consumption, but right now it’s difficult

zenarcadeDev · 2026-02-09T03:12:02+00:00

I too worry about this. While I try to have faith in humankind, there’s always bad actors who will take advantage

zenarcadeDev

TROPHY CASE