I feel like I'm losing my mind

[Lindsey14]

I'm scared ill forget who i am and hurt a loved one. Harm ocd is out the roof

[G3723]

Hello,

You won’t forget who you are. You know yourself deep down amd you are good; your instincts will protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay strong.

[lml885]

If that that’s truly who you were you would have done it already and you wouldn’t care. Practice not reacting, judging or analyzing the thoughts. Just let them be then pass. Yoga and nature help too.

[Jen_m03]

Are you able to identify what compulsions you may be doing? I know when I have harm OCD, mental reassurance is the main compulsion. (Telling myself this won’t happen, I’m a good person, etc). Checking could also be a compulsion. Maybe others? It may help to start there.

[Lindsey14 in reply to Jen_m03]

I do ask for reassurance a lot

[Jen_m03 in reply to Lindsey14]

It’s so hard not to. Does it help to recognize that reassurance just makes it worse? That it keeps the cycle going? It helped me to remember that I may feel better for like 2 seconds after getting reassurance but then I go back to feeling terrible. So not only does it not work for long, but it’s also keeping the ocd around....

Who are you asking for reassurance? Have they been taught how to respond? I used to ask my husband for reassurance all the time. When I started therapy, my therapist explained to my husband how to recognize it and how not to give it. So then even if I slip and ask, he doesn’t give it. Which sucks! But it’s ultimately for the best.

[Lindsey14 in reply to Jen_m03]

I ask my,mom most the time, so thank you!

[Jen_m03 in reply to Lindsey14]

Sometimes it helps for my husband to just say “are you sure you want me to answer?” That gives me a moment of pause and I often decide I’m strong enough to withstand the anxiety/uncertainty and don’t want to give into the ocd. I’m sure there are many other strategies for family members too. If your mom is willing and can help that would be great.

[mopedmike]

I know a little of what that is like. let me ask you though are you doing what you can to limmit OCD' torment by excersizing and eating right? OCD is the lack of serotonin in the brain there are dietary measures you can easily do to keep more serotonin in the brain . I eat bannanas and walnuts as well as eating poultry because it has triptofan in it that mixed with whole wheat or oats also promotes serotonin levels in the brain their are vitamin suplaments that can help as well but you should check with your pharmacist first as some of them may conflict with Rxs that you are already taking. I hope that can be of help it isn't instant but it has helped me a great deal, I hope it helps you as well.

[Lindsey14 in reply to mopedmike]

That k you!

[bulldog71]

Harm ocd has to be the worst kind I’ve had it for ten years it can be very miserable

[Godisgood_]

I just started having harm OCD for the first time in May...I thought I was losing my mind. Thankfully I’ve now come to realize my actions will always be something I can control even if my thoughts won’t stop feeding me my worst fears.