OCD Yawning (Need Desperate Help)

[tomjoney]

Trigger Warning - if you get easily triggered don't read on - nobody deserves to deal with this type of OCD.

Hi,

For the past 3 days or so I've had a rather annoying problem - I can't stop thinking about yawning. Now I understand this is a rarer form of OCD (in this case I don't think I've heard of yawning, which kind of shocked me) and I accept that - I'm used to having rarer types of sensorimotor OCD. Now, I have heard that this yawning OCD is related to breathing OCD and needing to take a deep breath, but in my case I don't have breathing OCD. This occurred just when I was making progress with my swallowing OCD I am introduced with this.

After each yawn I take I feel the need to yawn again, and then again - this is a really vicious cycle. I know it's illogical that my body needs to yawn this many times...

To combat this vicious cycle, I have tried to hold my yawns, which I can for quite a bit of time - but usually the urge to yawn gets so strong that my body overpowers me. And then whenever I yawn the tension gets released - until I get the urge again.

I want to live a normal life - but I don't know what to do to combat this. I've heard ERP can help but I'm not sure how to apply it in this scenario as it's different - really different. Whenever I go out with friends I forget about this, but when I come back home it starts again.

I want to learn new things, but whenever I feel the twinge of motivation to learn something new I realise I am suffering with this type of OCD and that I can't do that and I feel hopeless.

I'm not sure if accepting the yawns is the right thing to do as it's a vicious cycle. I'm also not sure it's possible to accept the urge to yawn as it's so strong. Usually accepting the urge is the right thing to do with bladder-related OCD and itching OCD - and I have had a lot of luck with that, but with yawning I'm not sure it's possible.

I need some advice... I've suffered from swallowing OCD and I know what to do in that scenario but with yawning I'm utterly confused... It's ruining my life and I have had suicidal thoughts often. I feel envious of other normal people and even people who have more normal subtypes of sensorimotor OCD because at least in their case they know how to deal with it. I am willing to try anything as it's on the verge of becoming unbearable to deal with. At least with blinking/swallowing I know how to deal with it but with yawning it's different - I feel like I am in the dark and alone.

Thanks,

Tom

[JoeS00]

Hello Tom.I know OCD themes change. It always does for me

But the way to deal with OCD that I always use is procrastinating.

Let's say right now I feel the urge to yawn if I don't yawn I'll just get anxious and panic and once I yawn I'll keep being compelled to do so. I know what kind of loop it is. But to deal with it myself I'll procrastinate yawning. I'll tell myself I'll yawn after 2 minutes. After 2 minutes I do the same. That way I'll do less of the compulsions the OCD wants me to do and that's the way to cut it off. It feels scary not responding to the OCD but that way you will break from the loop if you keep doing it. Make sure also to exercise and do breathing techniques because it'll help lower your anxiety

I wish this can help you.

[tomjoney in reply to JoeS00]

Thank you for this! Another question I have is what if the urge gets out of control (as in I am really busting to yawn)? Do I still procrastinate and tell myself in '2 minutes' or is it sometimes the only option to yawn? Cheers,

[JoeS00 in reply to tomjoney]

Well you gotta do your best. You're gonna do the urge at some point but try to limit it as much as you can. Every day put more limit. It's uncomfortable but it'll help you as it cuts off your OCD.

I'm not sure if procrastinating works for you pretty well but you gotta find a way where the intrusive thought which is the desire to yawn in ur case doesn't bother you or take from your time.

If you want to talk more about it I have no problem if you dm me.

[tomjoney in reply to JoeS00]

Hey, it's late now. I will try resisting as much as possible and I will update you. I will DM you tomorrow if I have more questions. Thank you,

[DeathtoOCD]

What exactly worries you about the yawning?

[tomjoney in reply to DeathtoOCD]

In this case it's a compulsion, so I'm not interested in accepting it as you will become stuck in a loop... Resisting the urge and accepting it makes it go away most of the time... Thanks for the comment though.

[zsturgeon1985]

I have the exact same symptoms as you do, in terms of sensorimotor OCD at least. I've been dealing with it for a couple of decades off and on. I've done so much research, and there are no easy answers. It seems to be one of the worst subtypes of OCD you can have, I'm afraid.

At least I know there are others out there going through similar struggles, and the symptoms have a name and an actual disorder. I went a really long time not knowing anything about what this really was. I would talk to psychiatrists and counselors about it, and they would look at me like I had two heads. Now I know it's just a manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder.

I've been trying to figure out if there is any supplement or medication out there to help lessen the urge to yawn. Hopefully something will pop up!

[Tay00]

Been 6 days since it started happening to me I honestly don’t know what to do it’s almost like there is two voices in my head, makes me feel better I’m not the only person that went through this bs….its honestly gut wrenching when you literally don’t have control of your thoughts

[Tay00 in reply to Tay00]

I don’t get like the urge but it’s like a constant thought literally… I am able to not yawn and it’s doesn’t feel like I’m resisting it’s like the thought yawning is just there

[Tay00 in reply to Tay00]

when I wake up first thing on my head is yawning

[Mandi098]

I know this is an older post, but was wondering how you’re doing with this. I’ve had an issue similar to this for about 5 years. The difference with this type of ocd and other sensorimotor types (in my opinion) is that sometimes the need to yawn or take a deep breath happens on its own, then when you become aware of it you can’t stop worrying about it, causing it to continue. Mine is similar in that it tends to lesson when I’m out with people or distracted. I have found a website that has been very helpful to me, however. I’ll link it here.

iocdf.org/expert-opinions/w...

I’ve found that accepting the urge and frequency of yawning and taking deep breaths is very helpful. Also, don’t try to stop thinking about it, as this makes it worse. Sometimes I spend some time purposely thinking about it and all the terrible possibilities that could happen if it never goes away. Thinking about it without the anchor of the anxiety is extremely helpful. Eventually I’m able to accept it and not worry about then, that’s when it tends to go away. I hope this helps as I know the extreme suffering this causes. People don’t understand how bad it is when I try to explain it.