Thoughts on Recovery #WellnessWednesday

[alexandraisobsessed]

Hello beautiful community,

As some of you have noticed, I've been quiet as of late. I took a step back this past month to truly focus on my OCD recovery.

I noticed that I was going through the motions when it came to my prescribed exposures, but I didn't feel much better in my day-to-day.

When I made some room to focus on the "why" I realized my ritual prevention wasn't where it should be. I was still carrying out compulsions all day long.

So, I went back to basics and focused on my ritual prevention for a few weeks. The difference in my day-to-day is amazing. Reducing my compulsions has opened up time, mental space, and energy that I never knew was missing. I remember telling my Doctor "So THIS is what recovery is supposed to feel like."

Am I "cured" or completely recovered? No, I don't think so, but I am starting to live more for myself and my family instead of for OCD and that's a huge step!

My lesson learned from all of this?

Ritual Prevention is absolutely crucial in ERP. (Yes, I just learned that lesson!)

I hope you're having a wonderful week.

[Mcfly64]

Good to hear you are doing well Alex.

[OldSkin in reply to Mcfly64]

Well done! How are you managing to prevent rituals - especially mental ones? Any tips please

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to OldSkin]

What has worked for me in terms of physical compulsions is to break each ritual down to the smallest step possible and then focus on each step for an extended period of time.Example:

One of my most noticeable compulsions is hand-washing so for about two weeks I focused on not washing my hands after anything that caused minimal anxiety. Then each week or two I worked my way up my hierarchy.

Mental rituals are something I'm currently working on

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Mcfly64]

Thank you! Yes, I'm getting there How are you?

[Sallyskins]

It can help to take a step back and concentrate on tackling the OCD. And it makes such a huge difference when you make progress. I've found myself doing much more than I used to be able to do.

I've heard recovery from OCD described as being like gardening. Like a garden, it needs constant maintenance and involved plenty of weeding!

Nice to hear from you again.

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Sallyskins]

I love this analogy so much!

Yes, I feel that so much of making progress is simply making the mental space and devoting energy to fully processing each experience.

[Sallyskins in reply to alexandraisobsessed]

I think it a great analogy! But alas! It's not one of my own invention! I got it from Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a book I've found very helpful, from Chapter 7 - Keeping Obsessive Compulsive Disorder at Bay.

I try to notice old rituals coming back, or new rituals raising their ugly heads, and stamp on them as best I can. It's a constant process.

And thanks for all you do to help us on this forum.

[MothFir]

This has very much been my experience. As I have made progress I sometimes try to go back on "autopilot," which only works for a while. My default is still to do compulsions, and I have to pay attention and resist as many as I can, or I end up doing them without even noticing at first. Then they grow back into a habit, I wonder why I'm having trouble, and then I realize I'm doing lots of "E" but not much "RP."

When I get back on track it makes all the difference - more "time, mental space, and energy" to live life. Sallyskins' garden analogy is so true!

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to MothFir]

Absolutely! My default is still compulsions as well and I agree that they can creep in without my noticing.

[Hoping4Life]

This discussion thread has so much positive energy! Love this!

[Mcfly64]

Try as hard as you can to keep busy.

[Mcfly64]

Same. Take one day at a time.