New to the community

Hello all. I am new to the Anxiety/Depression community and just wanted to quickly introduce myself. I've been battling OCD for over 30 years and depression off and on during that time. My OCD gets in the way of everything including my ability to hold down a job so right now I am (once again) not working. I went for many years being able to keep a job but in the last ten years it has been very difficult. It is all very frustrating and depressing and lately just completely overwhelming. It feels like things will never change. Outside of the normal complications OCD brings I find myself often riddled with fear....immense and uncontrollable fear. It's like I can't do even the simplest things because it all makes me so fearful. I'd love to hear from anyone who has struggled with this kind of fear and has been successful in overcoming it. I'd also love to hear from anyone who has used/is using ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). It would be great to hear from those of you who have OCD but anyone who has used ACT would be great. Thanks so much! I look forward to interacting with this group.

[Ddorne]

I have had OCD for over 40 years. I am on Prozac and klonapin and they help. Still sometimes I get a flair up of OCD and anxiety and is terrible. The klonapin helps with that. I see a talk therapist twice a week and a psychiatrist once a month. I really like both of them.Are you in therapy, on meds? It can really help. Also have you heard of exposure response prevention therapy? Look into it. I did it for a few months but I couldn't afford it. Maybe your insurance covers it. OCD gets bac when we're anxious so it's a good idea to have someone to vent to. Good luck. I think you can find OCD therapies on this site also the OCFOUNDATION web site

God bless,

Liti

[Hidden in reply to Ddorne]

Thanks Liti for your response! I am also on meds and in therapy. My therapist is using both ACT therapy and ERP therapy. I think the hardest thing for me is breaking away from the way I do life and trusting the therapy. If I don't feel 'safe' or that I performed the task in the 'right' way my anxiety really spikes. I'm supposed to learn to live with the anxiety and just go on with my day but that is challenging for sure. I'll get there one of these days! Thanks again for your response.