Encouragement please

OCD has ruined my life. I had a good life and I was happy. I messed up so bad. I thought so many bad thoughts. I can't live the rest of my life like this. I could use some encouragement. How do I get my life back?

[LuvSun]

Just remember that you are NOT your thoughts. Everyone has thoughts. You have to remember that your OCD is making you interpret these thoughts a certain way. You CAN get your life back. Please find and read as much as you can about OCD- it will help you to understand and love yourself better.

[Hidden in reply to LuvSun]

Thank you, LuvSun!💗 I just hate that with OCD you can never get a break from the thoughts. They are always there. What do you do when your OCD thoughts are really bad?

[ilikebl in reply to Hidden]

Personally, I try to get out of the house, even though my OCD prevents me from even doing that. Exercise often helps, hanging out with friends, or working on something that requires a lot of focus or brainpower.

[Hidden in reply to ilikebl]

Thanks!💗 I was able to get outside for a while today. It seemed to help a little. I noticed playing games with my siblings helps as well.

[Blue274 in reply to ilikebl]

Well said and done!

[LuvSun in reply to Hidden]

I agree that you should talk to your Mom about what you are going through- she would want to know. When my daughter was younger and going through some emotional times I wish she had felt that she could have opened up to me. It made me very sad to think she had been suffering on her own.

[Hidden in reply to LuvSun]

I don't want my mom to be sad. It's just, what if my mom doesn't understand and she thinks I'm going crazy or something? I tried to tell her about my harm thoughts, but she just kept telling me that I would never do something like that or that i should just try hard and think of something else. At the time I didn't know it was OCD, and as you probably know that just makes the thoughts stronger. So my thoughts got worse and I didn't want my mom to sorry about me, so I stopped telling her about them. I know she would do anything to help me, but I don't know how to tell her. Out of all the people in the world, why do I have to struggle with OCD? It's a very sad and lonely mental illness. I hope everything will be ok.

[LuvSun in reply to Hidden]

Does you Mom know and understand what OCD is about? You don’t have to suffer this alone. From reading all the posts on this forum you can definitely see that you are not alone in your suffering. You CAN get better.🌈

[Hidden in reply to LuvSun]

Thank you, LuvSun! No, I don't think my mom knows or understands what OCD is about. I didn't even know what it was until about 2 months ago when I started to do some serious online research on why I was having these unwanted thoughts.

[LuvSun in reply to Hidden]

Perhaps you could share with her what you have read about it and could start to try and get some help so you are not struggling on your own. I know it’s hard to share some of your thoughts and feelings with others but trust me- it really does help and you’d be surprised how much people understand.

[Hidden]

Hi Greensummer - LuvSun's response is wonderful. We are all works in progress, at different stages of OCD. You're not alone. Do you have a doctor and maybe some medication for starters?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No, I don't have a doctor or take any medications. I know that i should see a therapist, but don't know how to mention it to my mom. She knows something is wrong,but I have been getting better at hiding how I am feeling. The bad thoughts used to torment me and it was obvious that I needed help. But now that the thoughts have been around for so long, my outward anxiety has subsided, but my inward anxiety has grown. Now that I haven't been showing many outward signs that I need help, my mom thinks everything is fine, when really I'm dying on the inside. Sunn-E, I know reassurance makes OCD worse, but can you just tell me everything is going to be ok.

[ilikebl in reply to Hidden]

I would just be honest about it. It’s so so normal to have OCD. You owe it to yourself to get help, you deserve relief. Talk to her, or talk to someone at your school about it like a teacher or counselor, or a coach, or anybody. I know it can be hidden, but it gets so much better when people understand what you are battling and can help you. You CAN do it. 💕💕💕 keep us posted

[Hidden in reply to ilikebl]

💗💙💚💛

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Greensummer - You express yourself so well and maturely. I've admitted that I like to have reassurance sometimes too. Reassurance that you're going to be okay is different than reassurance regarding your specific OCD fears. I think you can use some reassurance that you're going to be okay. You are hurting so badly that I believe that you really, really need some help from a therapist or doctor. My family doctor is familiar with OCD and precsribes my OCD medicine and helps me along with my OCD. I believe that most other people on this forum go to therapists who specialize in Exposure-Response Prevention therapy for OCD, and additionally have medicine prescribed for them. Would it possibly help if you showed your mom what we are talking about here on this forum, and specifically about what we think you probably need? Maybe it would help her to understand OCD and give you some support knowing that she knows that OCD is a torturous disorder that we're all battling too. I said a prayer for you to find your way to the right help for you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Sunn-E! I will try to tell my mom. And thank you for praying for me. I'm really in need of prayer right now.💗

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You are so welcome.

[bpj6001 in reply to Hidden]

As the mom of a daughter with OCD, I promise that your mom wants to know you need help. It would kill me to know that my daughter was suffering and hiding it from me. Let the people who love you help you recover. The anxiety of trying to hide the OCD from your loved ones is probably making your symptoms worse. Talk to your mom!

[Hidden in reply to bpj6001]

Thank you, bpj6001! How did you know that your daughter has OCD?

[bpj6001 in reply to Hidden]

My daughter had a sudden, severe onset of contamination OCD about 18 months ago. Her symptoms were impossible to hide because she was no longer able to go about her normal daily routine. She was not able to go to school, and I actually had to stop working due to her hospitalization and partial hospitalization care that followed. We had to temporarily move to another state for proper treatment. I would do anything to get the treatment she needs to complete her recovery. I’m sure your mom feels the same. My daughter has come a long way. She is now working with a therapist in state and has weekly sessions along with homework. She has resumed many normal activities though she still struggles with some of her strongest obsessions. It has been a long road to recovery, but she is able to enjoy life again. It is so important to get the proper treatment. I hope you get the help you need soon.

[Hidden in reply to bpj6001]

I am so glad that your daughter is doing better and i am so glad that she has a mom like you! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I really appreciate it.💚

[OrchidKoi15]

Im so sorry you are struggling right now. What helps is that it is temporary. My ocd at its worst I could do nothing with out extreme distress. I quit my job and felt either I was going to kill myself or get help. I got help in a partial hospitalization program and it changed everything for me. I learned how to accept what was going on with me and the biggest thing was decatastophizing. I still have the thoughts that come and go but now that I am not in shock or afraid of them anymore for the most part i am very relieved. Took about 5-6weeks to feel somewhat normal for me and starting 2 different medications for me. I know you cant see the light at the end of the tunnel right now but it is still there. You will get to it.

[OrchidKoi15]

Forgot something else, I thought I had everything figured out and my life was great before my ocd got really bad, and I was functioning at such a high level but I didnt realize it was always there. After leaving my job i realized I was hiding behind work and being buisy to not think so much and I cant believe after realizing all my issues that I was able to function at such a high level. It was very difficult to make the decision to leave my job but I finally accepted that I just could not do it and handle my ocd at the same time. It doesnt mean I am weak or gave up. Its just what I needed right now. Think I went off on a tangent but anyway. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to OrchidKoi15]

Thanks for your encouragement, OrchidKoi15! I know you are not weak and I know that you did not give up. OCD is not easy to live with. I completely understand. Currently I am a senior in high school. I am homeschooled, but because of my OCD i am not able to focus on anything, let alone school. Like you said, I can't possibly do school and deal with my OCD at the same time. I am glad that you knew what was best for you and that you decided to make a difficult choice so that you can get better. I believe that you are a very strong person! I really appreciate your encouraging words.💙

[QuietStorm98]

You are definitely not alone. This type of OCD is the worst. I have thought many times why did this happen to me? Seems so unfair I know. Just know we are here for you. It doesn't seem like it now but it does get better. I think you should talk to your mom and a professional about what's going on. Also, reading books on OCD is very helpful. Best wishes.

[Hidden]

Hi there,

The best way to reduce your OCD symptoms is to get connected with a licensed professional who can treat OCD. You can search for professionals who are currently treating OCD using the IOCDF Resource Directory: iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/...

You may also find it helpful to utilize either a self help book or smartphone app in the meantime to help with symptom management. A list of books can be found at iocdf.org/books and a list of apps can be found at iocdf.org/apps

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Alex!