ROCD before period?

[AlexisKY]

For the ladies (or those who have someone who experiences this) but anyone else have SEVERE ROCD, before their periods? About a week out from my period - and it always seems like my ROCD/OCD in general, plus terrible anxiety, is almost TRIPLED, during this time. Not sure if it’s PMDD, anxiety, Or just acting up due to the hormones during this week. Anyone else suffer from this? What do you guys typically do to push through it? I feel awful

[Hidden]

Sorry you're experiencing this. I don't believe I myself deal with ROCD, but my OCD is worse pre-menstrual. There was recently another thread on here about that. If you didn't see it yet that may be helpful. I know I was relieved that I'm not the only one who seems to have a harder time then.

One thing I've tried to do but haven't been super successful is trying to really reduce tasks and work load in whatever ways I can so that I'm not setting myself up to get overwhelmed. So not planning any extra projects or something. Putting that added pressure on myself is just the fuel the ocd needs to really latch on and get overwhelmed, start feeling awful.

So in a way I stopped trying to push through it because that just added so much more pressure, guilt, sadness. I accepted that this particular week or so is going to be even harder than normal and to give myself a little grace and kindness. Easier said than done. Usually after my period starts I feel a little better and then have more ability to keep pushing onward.

It can be awful and I hope you take good care of yourself as best you can.

[Hannahzid IOCDF Advocate]

I definitely can relate to my OCD symptoms flaring up when I am going through changes in my cycle. Menstruation and ovulation can have an impact on my base level anxiety and consequently how I respond to my intrusive thoughts. At one point, I was living in fear of my cycle approaching because I knew that meant I would feel worse. Tracking everything and every symptom/emotional change became a compulsion. I think going easy on yourself during that time of the month will yield best results. I have learned to take it easy and listen to my body and what it needs from me, which is usually a whole lot of rest.

[Hidden in reply to Hannahzid]

Wow that is such a good point. I'm going to be mindful that my seeking "patterns" doesn't turn into something ocd wants to control!

[SandraNova]

I do. Right now it is really bad. I have not yet figured out a way to deal with it so I really hope you get some tips here. The worst thing is, how do I know it is ocd or rocd? What if the feelings are real or justified. That really terrifies me and that feeling of horror is really hard to handle. You are not alone, and it feels good to me to know I am not either ❤

[AlexisKY in reply to SandraNova]

It’s definitely been a rollercoaster for sure lately… definitely hard. My ROCD is grasping on to the fact that I feel I’ve cheated on my boyfriend, when I would talk to guys when we were separated, i know in my heart I’d never cheat, but my brain is trying to trick me into it otherwise. I’ve been trying to do a tip to stop rumination, and that is telling myself “there is nothing to figure out” because even my boyfriend said, when I was single, I could do whatever I wanted, and so I’ve just been reminding myself of that. I’m here if you need to talk at all!

[Sallyskins]

I always had this problem, and it has continued post-menopause. The menstrual cycle does continue after the menopause, although you no longer bleed.

Hormones play a big part in our mental state and can really affect OCD, but there are things you can do. The contraceptive pill can help to regulate things, and supplements of vitamin B6 can also help with pre-menstrual syndrome. It can be bought over the counter or prescribed by your doctor.

Apart from that, it's important that you don't think 'My period is due so I'm bound to feel worse'. I always found that menstrual side effects varied from month to month: the feeling bad tempered and the OCD being worse the week before, the pimple and the cramps. Some months I'd just get one or two, some months all three, and occasionally none at all!

So perhaps give the vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) a go and take it as easy as you can.